Psychologically, sport appears to have a profound therapeutic effect: it is essential to the harmonious development of the individual, it is an instrument of upbringing, socialization, balance, therapy, and it is essential for his/her personal growth and development.
An initial therapeutic effect of martial arts is the feeling of control over your destiny The practice of sports activities and building results gradually increase motivation and self-efficacy: the belief that you can control your own destiny and that you possess the tools to achieve it.
These therapeutic virtues are particularly apparent in martial arts, which are by their very nature the union of mind and body. Beyond the purely competitive aspect of martial arts, they have a philosophical and educational component.
An individual's character is the main objective of these programs. These programs focus on developing the individual's character through activities such as critical thinking, problem-solving, fighting, and collaboration. A lifetime of practice makes it one of the few activities we can continue to pursue.
Living what you do is all you need, you don't have to have a goal.
Psychology and martial arts
In the field of psychology, many experts have found parallels and correlations between various aspects of the psychological journey and martial arts: Experts believe certain martial arts can support psychological health and encourage socially desirable personal changes.
In the treatment of certain psychological disorders or discomforts, martial arts can often be found to be an effective adjunct to psychotherapy, since martial arts are thought to offer psychological benefits by many people.
According to experts, a combination of psychotherapy and martial arts was particularly effective for women who had been victims of sexual abuse. In addition, some research suggests that it may also be effective in treating eating disorders, substance abuse, and growing up in dysfunctional families.
The study also found that martial arts produces greater gains in self-esteem compared to traditional treatment alone when used in psychotherapy targeting adolescents and children with behavior problems.