Many people, perhaps more than we are aware of, suffer from anxiety. Panic attacks, depression and overthinking are some of the things they go through. However, many of them lead “normal” lives. They go to work, do what they have to do, but in reality, they are suffering in silence.
It is known that exercising can help, but did you know that boxing is a great option to overcome anxiety? It is a sport that not only brings benefits to your physical health but since it makes you get out of your head and focus on your body and your training, it benefits your mental health as well.
Learning something that’s as challenging as boxing and see yourself improve with constant training can help build confidence, self-efficacy, your ability to trust in yourself and that you can handle anything that comes your way.
Some therapists use something called the “walk and talk” therapy where they combine the benefits of communicative therapy sessions with gentle exercise. Jennifer Carter, Ph.D., a counseling and sports psychologist, told the American Psychological Association “that these sort of sessions encourage patients to open up”, as you can read in an article published by Net Doctor. This is what happens with boxing and anxiety.
Why choose boxing to help you overcome anxiety?
Boxing and any other intense workout or physical activity provide a rush of endorphins which naturally boosts your mood. Boxing training can become very intense, physically, and you will feel the effects of endorphins right away.
When you go to a boxing class you will feel how little by little your anxiety and depression symptoms are relieved. Your focus shifts from ruminating thoughts to your mind and body in the present moment. Boxing training acts as a source of distraction as you engage with a fun activity that you can look forward to.
The supportive group setting that surrounds boxing is another positive aspect of this sport, as well as the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
You will see your self-esteem and confidence boost and you will be able to use the training session as an opportunity to safely release frustrations, stress and anger. It is a way to achieve a healthier lifestyle with benefits for your physical and mental health.
Boxing benefits for your mental and physical health
Yes, boxing has even more benefits for your health than the ones we just gave you. One of them is the ability to help you “switch” the outside world off and be absolutely present in the present, as redundant as it sounds but we sometimes are present in the past or in the future. Boxing can be so intense that leaves no room at all in your head for anything else, and that time out from your problems and issues can help you deal in better ways with them by having a fresh perspective.
In addition, you can also experience what in running people refer to as the “runner’s high”, which is nothing more than endorphin production which reduces stress. When you are punching the bag, for instance, your brain increases endorphin production who, in turn, creates positive thoughts that will only make you feel good.
The workout your muscles get from punching helps relieve tension that accumulates from stress. Concentration and focus are also improved and you will completely forget what you were stressed about in the beginning.
Motivation? You got it! If you find it hard to motivate yourself to work out alone and this can sometimes make you bail, boxing is the key. Here, you will never be alone because it is a sport that involves more than one person. When sparring you will need a partner, or when working with pads, someone has to hold them for you. Even something as simple as holding someone else’s feet while they are doing sit-ups is something that involves other people in the training.
In other words, boxing training adds social support to the mix, which reduces feelings of loneliness and social anxiety. If you find it hard to meet new people, in boxing you will be able to work with others as a team. From these experiences perhaps even a long-lasting friendship could evolve, but even if it doesn’t, you will learn how to deal with strangers on a recurring basis.
Finally, boxing will help you learn a lot about yourself. We spend our lives trying to figure out what our place is in the world, what we came here for, what is it that we need to learn and, yes, boxing can help you obtain the answer to many of these profound questions. Why? Because when training you will learn how your brain works and reacts. The strategic side of boxing will help you analyze yourself in many ways.
The infinite combinations that you can do in boxing, adding technique and precision, require practice, perseverance and concentration. It is something that can become your lifestyle and a sort of meditation that will lighten many aspects of your life.
Boxing can help you feel powerful
This is kind of obvious but we had to remind you of it. Yes, boxing will help you feel powerful. You will gain so much confidence in yourself that you will feel like you can deal with anything – and anyone. We are not trying to say that you should go out and get into fights because with boxing training you will learn cool moves and techniques, we are saying that you will have an empowering feeling with you at all times, which will help you overcome anxiety.
This empowerment will give you enough strength to deal with life’s challenging situations, as well as give you a sense of achievement. Boxing workouts make you think and analyze. You need to figure out how to coordinate a jab, hook, uppercut with a duck, slide, slide and so many more combos. Being able to analyze is useful for pretty much anything and also for meditating on your own life’s moments.
Other benefits you can get out of boxing training
There are many more things you can get out of boxing training, besides helping overcome anxiety, physical health, meeting new people and gaining confidence and self-esteem. Yes, there is more!
For instance, you can also become more creative. Many people say that after hours of boxing they feel very inspired. They can sit down and write more fluidly and their ideas flow more freely and it is easier for them to start or finish projects.
You can also improve your relationship with boxing as if it were a kind of relationship therapy. It can be a sport you practice as a couple and, of course, as a team. You will be able to work towards a goal together and also burn off frustrations in a positive way, as well as fight your own individual demons.
If you are starting to box or are thinking about using this sport as a way to help you overcome anxiety, here are some tips for picking the right gym for you. And also, it is always important, not to take care only of your physical health and your mental health, but also about what you out in your body, so check out this boxing diet!
Have you used boxing to unwind and diminish your anxiety levels? Leave your comment below! We want to know more about your experience.
