4 Surprising Ways Kickboxing Helps Mental Health
Are you looking for a fun workout that not only strengthens your body but also boosts your mental health? Look no further than kickboxing fitness at 9Round! Kickboxing is a high-intensity workout that combines martial arts techniques with cardio and strength training, and it's been shown to have a variety of mental health benefits—let’s take a look at some of those benefits in more detail!
1—Kickboxing Provides Stress Relief
First and foremost, kickboxing is a great stress reliever. When you're punching and kicking a heavy bag, you're releasing a lot of pent-up energy and tension, which can help you feel more relaxed and calm. According to a study published in the Journal of Sport Behavior, participants who engaged in kickboxing reported lower levels of stress and higher levels of self-esteem than those who did not. In fact, many fitness professionals and mental health experts recommend kickboxing as a stress-relieving activity.
2—Kickboxing Enhances Your Mood
Kickboxing is also a great way to improve your mood. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are natural feel-good chemicals that can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Kickboxing is not only physically challenging, but mentally challenging as well. As you learn new kickboxing techniques and combinations, you're also challenging your brain and building mental resilience. This can lead to a greater sense of confidence and self-efficacy, which can have a positive impact on your overall mood and well-being.
3—Kickboxing Improves Cognitive Function
In addition to boosting your mood and reducing stress, kickboxing can also improve your cognitive function. This is because kickboxing fitness requires a high level of mental focus and concentration. As you're performing various kicks, punches, and combinations, you're also engaging your brain and building neural pathways. Over time, this can lead to improvements in cognitive function and overall brain health. According to a study published in 2021, kickboxing training can improve cognitive function in young adults, including attention, memory, and processing speed.
4—Kickboxing Can Help Reduce Burnout
But the mental health benefits of kickboxing at 9Round don't stop there. Kickboxing can also help you build resilience and cope with adversity. This is because kickboxing can help you develop a growth mindset, which is the belief that your abilities and skills can be developed through dedication and hard work.
As you practice and master new techniques, you're building resilience and learning to overcome challenges, both inside and outside the studio. We practice this growth mindset at 9Round with our core value of Kaizen. Kaizen is a Japanese term for continuous improvement. It emphasizes making small, incremental changes to improve over time.
So, there you have it—kickboxing isn't just a great workout for your body, it's also a great workout for your mind! Whether you're looking to reduce stress, boost your mood, improve your cognitive function, or build resilience, kickboxing is the perfect fitness activity for you.
Check out the revolutionary kickboxing-themed workouts provided at 9Round studios around the world by finding your local gym and signing up for your free introductory workout and get ready to punch and kick your way to a healthier, happier you!
Please note that while seeking information and resources online can be helpful, it should not replace professional mental health care. If you are struggling with mental health issues, it's important to seek help from a licensed healthcare professional, such as a therapist or psychologist. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact a mental health crisis line or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 (US) or other emergency services available in your area.
