Learning martial arts goes beyond learning fighting techniques. It can spark joy and bring happiness to your life as you grow physically and mentally through training. It doesn’t matter which martial art you choose; learning any combat style will take you on a journey of self-discovery that will transform you physically and mentally into the best version of yourself.
How Learning A Martial Art Brings Joy And Happiness Into Your Life
The physical and mental benefits of learning martial arts work together to enrich your life and make you happier. Let’s take a look at how some of these benefits translate into more joy and happy vibes:
Learning martial arts is an effective way to lower anxiety and stress. Some martial arts like boxing, Muay Thai, and Karate serve as destructive therapy, giving you a positive way to unleash pent-up negative emotions inside you.
Training in martial arts also releases dopamine in your brain since you get quality physical exercise as you train. As a result, you’ll walk out of the gym feeling much better than you did when you walked in.
2) Increased Self-Esteem
Learning martial arts strengthens your body and mind. The physical activities you perform during training will push your body more than you used to as you discover newfound powers you never thought you had. The challenges you must overcome as your instructor shows you new techniques during classes will strengthen your mind.
You will become more confident about your abilities and assert yourself more as you go about your daily activities. Your general sense of well-being and happiness improves.
3) Improved Emotional Regulation
Learning martial arts teaches you better ways to manage your emotions, so you’re less likely to have negative emotions bring you down. You learn to keep your mind focused as your instructors break down techniques, paying attention to all the little details. You learn to manage emotions like aggression, anxiety, and fear while sparring and competing.
The emotional regulation you learn during training will carry over into other aspects of your life. You’ll find yourself reacting to obstacles in your personal and work life calmly and logically instead of letting your emotions get the best of you. You’ll be happier in the long run because of this.
4) Physical Transformation
Learning a martial art will get you in the best shape of your life. You could easily burn upward of 1,000 calories for every hour you spend training in martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Wrestling. Many martial arts give you a full body workout, so your muscles become bigger, stronger, and more defined.
You’ll be proud of your physical appearance after a few months of training, and your overall health will improve.
5) Improved Sleep Quality
Many people don’t get enough exercise these days as they spend most of their days sitting down at a desk. Martial arts training gives your body more than enough physical exercise, so you’re tired when it’s time to go to bed. The feel-good hormones secreted in your brain after strenuous physical exercise also help to improve sleep quality.
Mental health issues like depression have been linked to not getting sufficient sleep. Other ways not getting enough sleep can interfere with your happiness include:
- Increases your risk of anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
- Increases your risk of having psychotic episodes.
- You’re more likely to feel isolated or lonely – for example, you might not have enough energy for social gatherings due to not getting enough sleep.
- It makes it more difficult to concentrate or problem solve.
- It leads to low energy during the day.
6) Bring Out Your Full Potential
Learning a martial art helps to unleash the warrior inside you. You learn a lot about yourself while training as you grow as a martial artist. Some of the techniques you come across might seem impossible to master when you first try them out, but over time, they become second nature to you.
Martial arts training gives you a positive feedback loop as you overcome obstacles and improve as a martial artist. You become more confident as you realize how much you can accomplish when you dedicate yourself to something, and that confidence will carry out to other aspects of your life.
You’ll feel a stronger sense of purpose as you progress through the ranks, making you feel happier about where you are in life.
7) Teaches You How To Make Intelligent Decisions Under Pressure
Sparring and competing as a martial artist is akin to playing a game of chess. When factors like size and skill are equal, the better problem-solver typically emerges victorious. Martial arts teach you to remain composed in stressful situations while maintaining awareness of everything around you. You learn to keep your wits about you even when physically exhausted.
The improved problem-solving skills and composure you learn from your martial arts training will carry over into other aspects of your life, like your career. The more successful you are in your academic and career life, the more accomplished you’ll feel, leading to increased happiness.
8) Broader Social Circle
One of the best parts of learning martial arts is all the new friends you get to make. Martial arts attract people from all walks of life, so you’re bound to encounter some people you mesh well with. Modern humans have fewer social interactions than people did a few hundred years ago, as we spend most of our time hunched over a desk in a cubicle.
The lack of social interactions worsens if you’ve recently moved to a new environment. Adults are generally not as quick at making friends as children are, so you need as many opportunities as possible to widen your social network as you age.
Not having enough social interaction can lead to negative emotions like feeling isolated or lonely. You won’t have that problem when you start training in martial arts. You might even find your next romantic partner at the dojo. The more positive people you have around you, the happier you’ll generally be.
Try Martial Arts Today
The benefits of martial arts are countless! Ranging from improved physical fitness, improved mental health, all while making new friends, why not try martial arts today and reap all these benefits and more!
If you are interested in trying out martial arts, consider a complimentary trial class with Evolve!
Book your complimentary trial class with our World Champions below!
If you have any other questions regarding Evolve MMA and the programs we offer, you can get in touch with our membership executives at the following locations:
Evolve MMA (Far East Square)
26 China Street
Far East Square #01-01
Singapore 049568
Phone: (65) 6536 4525
Evolve MMA (Orchard Central)
181 Orchard Road
#06-01 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Phone: (65) 6536 4556
Evolve MMA (KINEX)
11 Tanjong Katong Road
#02-52 KINEX
Singapore 437157
Phone: (65) 6288 2293
Evolve MMA (Clarke Quay Central)
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
#04-18 Clarke Quay Central
Singapore 059817
Phone: (65) 6226 2150
Evolve MMA (Star Vista)
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-26A The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Phone: (65) 6539 9590
