To keep school life from getting monotonous, schools often offer an array of ECAs, also known as extracurricular activities. Martial Arts are a very common ECA for school-going children, and their added benefits of improved fitness, quicker response time, and self-discipline, easily convince parents to enroll their children in Martial Arts classes. In this article, we will be discussing the mental health benefits of Martial Arts which are also the reason you should enroll in these classes.
Table of Contents
1. Being Self-Aware at All Times
We always think we are continuously aware of our surroundings, but the reality is that we aren’t. In Martial Arts, people are trained to be ready for anything, as the danger never comes planned. Additionally, they are also told how to react in a given situation with tranquility, instead of losing being caught off-guard.
2. Peace of Mind in Terms of Safety
Trained self-defense learners are always in a state of mental peace wherever they go because they are confident about their skills and know exactly how to tackle a situation if things go south. They also prove to be a source of peace for people they hang out with, like friends, relatives, etc., because they know if anything happens, their trained friend is there to take control of the situation.
3. Fitness
It takes a lot of effort to learn a practical and exciting skill like self-defense, but it definitely has its pros! Next time you think of going to the gym, try enrolling in self-defense classes, so you can get fit and learn a valuable skill at the same time! Current mental health news and studies suggest that being fit helps a person think well and avoid sluggishness.
4. Helps with Self-discipline
Self-discipline is something everyone should have. Attending self-defense classes, allows you to discover your regimen, as you have to dedicate your time and effort daily to practice. It also helps you control feelings of anger, resentment and teaches you to be accountable for your own actions. Self-defense also prepares you for future walks of life and prepares you to tackle any hardships you may face with ease.
5. Meeting New People and Developing Social Skills
Just like any group setting, self-defense classes are where you will meet many people with similar interests as you. You may interact with people from different cultures and races, all in the same place to learn the same skill. Moreover, interacting with the instructor and abiding by the rules of the dojo will teach you how to communicate with elders and increase your respect for them. You will also learn patience and restraint, which will help you develop a positive attitude in the long run.
6. Concentration
Whether it is a class or a dojo, concentration is important in any form of education. Learning self-defense will teach your kids how to be vigilant in every situation, always anticipating what the opponent’s moves will be. This automatically makes them focus more on every situation, and who knows, they may even start staying alert and performing better in classes as well.
7. Teamwork
Although self-defense is usually about learning to defend oneself solo in an unfortunate situation, it can still promote a sense of teamwork in the learners. The instructor may give them tasks to perform with the help of a team, and unless they get along with each other they may be unable to do them effectively. It develops a sense of compassion and encourages new friendships to form between the team members. It will also help students develop a feeling of mental calm because they are not alone in a team.
8. Respect
This point deserves a separate bullet: when learning Martial Arts, Karate, or any kind of self-defense, the trainees learn to accept the true value of it, learning to respect everyone around them. If you’ve ever seen a real Martial Arts match, both the opponents first make eye contact, then bow to each other before the tournament begins. This sense of respect will be ingrained in the child’s mind while interacting with others in their day-to-day life as well.
9. Self-esteem
No one is good at everything. But when we find out something we are good at, it lifts our self-esteem manifolds. We feel confident that we are good at a skill, no matter how what it may be. The same goes for self-defense, you should be proud of having such a valuable skill. It also gives opportunities to every person to grow comfortably at their own pace, you don’t have to worry about lagging behind your classmates. Each student gets a colored belt for their progress, and they keep leveling up as they progress further in their training.
10. Helps Children Cope with their ADHD
While taking training, students are required to put their complete focus on the ongoing activity in the class. This keeps them focused and retains its focus for a longer period of time. There have been cases where the parents have noticed this difference in their child’s’ performance, and have further advocated the need for self-defense training.
