Kickboxing is growing in popularity, and for good reason – it’s a great form of all-round training that benefits both strength and cardiovascular fitness. With the ability to punch and kick bags, pads, and other equipment, it’s no wonder many people find kickboxing an effective stress reliever.
Mental Health Benefits of Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a combat sport that involves two athletes, each throwing preemptive punches, elbows, knees, shins, and feet at the other. Styles include Muay Thai, American or European kickboxing, Chinese San Shou, and French Savate.
Regulates Mood
When the weight of our stress becomes overwhelming, our minds need to release the mental pressure through physical force. This will provide temporary relief and increase the production of endorphins. This is why punching and kicking a heavy bag feels good. It gives you the opportunity to channel your energy through punching and restore chemical imbalances. Regular kickboxing training can help relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
Improved mood in general can be seen from participating in physical activity due to the release of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that play a role in regulating mood and feelings of happiness, euphoria, and excitement.
Stress Management
Kickboxing, as mentioned above, is a great stress reliever. Research shows that regular exercise, such as kickboxing training, can increase resilience to stress. Just as exercise regulates mood, it can help combat stress by releasing endorphins.
The intense cardiovascular exercise required to practice kickboxing has been shown to release these mood-boosting chemicals, effectively reducing feelings of stress.
Boosts Self-Confidence
Kickboxing is a rewarding journey. In addition to fitness, you are promoting your personal growth and technical skills. Persevering through a round of kickboxing or stringing together combinations will boost your self-esteem. Overcoming obstacles in honor of your commitment to this path will impact how you feel about yourself.
Research confirms that participating in kickboxing requires and improves self-confidence, motivation, dispositional hope and optimism, mental toughness, resilience, and adaptive perfectionism.
Learning kickboxing techniques can give you confidence in your ability to defend yourself. You may feel more at ease in certain areas, knowing that you have the skills to defend yourself if necessary. Of course, always practice safety and precautions under all circumstances.
Increases motivation and ability to perform
Every kickboxing workout is an opportunity to create meaningful moments. From finishing a tough round, suddenly understanding a punch, or realizing the difference in your output.
Think of these moments like a deck of cards. Each time you refill your deck, you create more impressions that you can then use as a catalyst to complete a new task. What could be more motivating than a personal reminder of “can you do this?”
Following a routine that centers the majority of your activity around kickboxing training can have a long-term effect on motivating you to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
Improves Memory, Focus, and Visual Acuity
Complex kickboxing combinations require mental effort. To perform them, you must memorize the order of the moves, then tune out the world around you and focus. Once focused, you can continue the movements throughout the round. The challenge of continuing the movement throughout the round will improve your overall memory, focus, and mental acuity.
Kickboxing techniques require balance and coordination. These types of movements have been shown to improve brain function and cognitive function. Balance training, such as standing on one leg and kicking, kneeing, or spinning, improves memory and spatial awareness.
Cardio Kickboxing vs. Traditional Kickboxing
There are two main types of kickboxing classes: those held in large gyms, commonly called “cardio kickboxing,” and those held in specialized training centers, which teach the basics and advanced skills of traditional kickboxing.
If you want a good aerobic workout and are not interested in technical skills, then the large gym option is for you. If you want to build skills and learn specific techniques, try yourself in a more traditional style.
Conclusion
Kickboxing is well known for its mental health benefits, especially as a stress reliever and a safe way to release tension. Focusing physical activity through a kickboxing routine has many benefits for your personal well-being, including building self-confidence and improving brain health.
Whether you prefer cardio-based group kickboxing classes, learning kickboxing techniques as a sport, or working out in your living room, you can experience the benefits of this sport for yourself.
