Stress and anxiety are both incredibly serious problems that are sweeping the nation. So much so that experts have even identified that we are currently living through a mental health epidemic. Considering how serious this problem is, you’ll want to do all you can to combat stress and anxiety as letting it linger will eventually take a toll on your health.
While there are a slew of different ways to address stress and anxiety, jiu-jitsu is a surprisingly effective way to deal with these issues. Despite how unconventional this solution may seem, there’s really no questioning how helpful practicing jiu-jitsu can be. Now, we understand if you still need a little convincing. To help you see the benefits of jiu-jitsu for your mental health, here’s a brief breakdown of how Brazilian jiu-jitsu can help with stress and anxiety.
Exercise Is Good for the Brain
While exercise is often lauded for its health benefits, people seem to forget that exercise is also great for your brain. In fact, researchers have found that 150 minutes of exercise every week will do wonders for your mental health. While it may seem like a lot of time, you’ll easily hit 150 minutes a week if you sign up for jiu-jitsu classes at your local gym.
Jiu-Jitsu Teaches You to Thrive Under Pressure
Stress is when you’re overwhelmed by all the things happening around. And while it may seem tough, it’s not something that you can’t learn to deal with. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that jiu-jitsu is one of the best ways to learn how to work under pressure. In jiu-jitsu, you will have to perform while your opponent is actively trying to dominate you. To add to this, you can’t just brute force your way through this as you will need to keep a level head and be one step ahead of your opponent.
Jiu-Jitsu Helps You Become Mentally Tough
Aside from being physically taxing, jiu-jitsu will also mentally push you to your absolute limit. Jiu-jitsu is notoriously hard to learn, which means you’ll spend a majority of the early stages of your jiu-jitsu journey constantly being trumped by your sparring partner. This is all part of the process and will help teach you to become more resilient in the face of adversity.
Jiu-Jitsu Instills Confidence
Jiu-jitsu is great if you’re trying to build your confidence and self-esteem. The act of learning and continuously getting better is great for boosting your confidence as you will feel that you are really accomplishing something through hard work and sheer will. Becoming more confident provides a boost to your mental health as it helps you feel like you’re more in control of your life and will be able to cope with stress more effectively.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you understand the benefits that jiu-jitsu can bring and how it can improve your mental wellbeing. As you can see, the simple act of practicing jiu-jitsu will do wonders for your mental health. With that being said, it’s important that you remember that jiu-jitsu isn’t a substitute for professional mental health care. If you think you need more help when it comes to dealing with anxiety and stress, it would be best to consult with a mental health professional.
Pride Martial Arts Academy conducts jiu-jitsu classes in Clarence. Everyone deserves a chance to grow by learning new skills, and jiu-jitsu might just be the one for you. Contact us today to learn more!
