Not only can self-defense help you to feel more empowered when you are out and about, but it can also be one of the best forms of exercise too. Whether you have been interested in taking up self-defense for a while or you are looking at taking up a new form of exercise, this guide is here to help you to learn more about what self-defense can entail and what benefits the practice can bring to your life.
The Different Types of Self-Defense
Before outlining the benefits of self-defense, it is first useful to outline what the term self-defense can actually entail. As FC gym Balham explains, there are many different forms of self-defense. Self-defense can include any of the following:
- Muay Thai
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Wing Chun
- Jujutsu
- Krav Maga
- Aikido
Why You Should Learn Self-Defense
The list below outlines some of the most common benefits of learning self-defense.
1. Defend Yourself
Of course, the most obvious benefit of learning self-defense is quite simply to defend yourself. While you hope that you will never be in a dangerous situation, it is always useful to know you have the skills you need to protect yourself. Not only will self-defense teach you how to protect yourself it will also help you learn how to be more aware of your surroundings too.
2. Boost Your Confidence
Self-defense can boost your self-confidence for a range of different reasons. Firstly, having the knowledge that you can protect and look after yourself can be very positive for your self-confidence. Self-defence also helps you to build up your physical strength and agility, which can also be empowering.
Research has found that learning and mastering a new skill and getting to know new people can be hugely Benfica for your self-confidence. This means that learning self-defense can offer yet another benefit for your mental health.
3. Improve Your Physical Health
Self-defense is a great form of exercise as it enables you to both perform cardio while also building up your strength and muscle tone. This means that learning self-defense can help you to burn calories and build strength while you are gaining other benefits.
4. Improved Balance
As previously outlined, self-defense helps you to build your strength and core stability which can, in turn, help you to improve your balance. This, in turn, can help you to reduce the chances of falling or incurring an injury.
5. Improved Reflexes
Learning and training in self-defense can help you to gain a skill that is known as a fighter’s reflex. Training in self-defense not only helps you to develop your instinctive reaction times and improves your physical speed and mobility.
6. Improved Focus
Training in self-defense can help you to improve your focus as it requires you to be concerted on your surroundings. Being in a situation where you are having to focus your whole attention on the world around you can be a very beneficial skill to learn as it can translate into other areas of your life.