How Boxing Strengthens Your Mind
Many people do boxing to get into shape, build muscles, tone their bodies, and get stronger.
But did you know that the benefits of boxing extend beyond improving your physique?
A growing body of research suggests that boxing is good for your mental health too. Let us look at the ways boxing strengthens your mind, according to science:
Enhanced Self-Esteem
Learning a new sport is empowering.
As you progress with boxing, you realize that you are way stronger and much better than yesterday. Even just completing a ten-minute punching workout will make you feel proud of yourself. And you should be!
Here are the ways boxing boost your self-confidence:
- Boxing makes you fit and strong. Consequently, this has a positive effect on your mind too. When you feel good about your body, you increase your self-confidence.
- Just as you gain physical strength, you also develop inner strength. Boxing gives you an opportunity to know yourself better.
- Mastering a skill will enhance your self-confidence significantly.
- Boxing allows you to focus on your personal progress. That said, you eliminate the need to compare yourself to others which is a great starting point to strengthening your self-esteem.
- This sport lets you discover your capabilities. You will be surprised what your body can do and how much strength you actually have.
- Learning self-defense boosts your confidence and makes you braver.
Stress Management
For many boxers, punching bags are the ultimate stress reliever.
There are probably times when you want to punch somebody in the face. Luckily, hitting the bag can help you let go of negative emotions without ending up getting jailed.
Now, you might be wondering – what makes boxing so effective in stress reduction?
Here’s the thing. When you’re pounding the punching heavy bag, your brain produces endorphins ‒ the natural chemicals responsible for stimulating positive emotions.
At the same time, intense physical activities (such as those used in boxing) also reduce cortisol levels in your brain which is the hormone responsible for chronic stress.
Hitting the bag also helps relieve physical tension which takes place when your body is stressed. That said, the person who belittled you, that big opportunity you missed, and other anxieties you deal with can be envisioned and punched away.
Quality Sleep
Sleep and mental health go hand in hand. Many studies have shown that sleep problems can worsen mental health disorders.
Therefore, if you want to improve your mental health, you should make quality sleep a priority.
The good news is boxing can significantly improve your sleep quality. Research has found that exercise plays a significant role in improving your sleep quality. Not only does it allow you to fall asleep faster, but also helps you stay asleep throughout the night.
In one study, it was shown that participating in a six-week high-intensity boxing program leads to improved sleep quality and decreased daytime sleepiness.
There are several ways in which boxing helps you get a good night’s slumber. First, it helps you de-stress. Second, it boosts your energy levels during the day. And lastly, boxing encourages you to make healthier dietary choices that contribute to better sleep.
Mindfulness
When we talk about mindfulness, we often envision people sitting down on the floor with their surroundings completely quiet and still.
Turns out, calmness isn’t the only way. In fact, physical activity is proven to be a wonderful tool in achieving mindfulness too.
Aside from stimulating your brain to produce ‘feel-good’ hormones and helping you release aggression, putting on the gloves teaches you about yourself. It helps you know your limitations and triggers.
Boxing is considered a form of ‘moving meditation’ as it demands 100% of your attention. You need to focus so you can throw quick, accurate, and powerful punches. Such a high level of focus is required to achieve a mindful state.
Over time, as you train your brain to be mindful, you become much better at handling stressful situations and give your all to whatever’s in front of you.
Resilience
Last but certainly not least, boxing teaches you to become resilient.
In psychology, resilience is defined as one’s ability to bounce back from difficulty. To effectively deal with the challenges of life, you have to work on becoming resilient.
Thankfully, boxing can help you in this area too. Research reveals that shadow boxing can effectively reduce anxiety and depression.
Boxing workouts are intense. They are some of the toughest, mind-blowing exercises you will do. Sometimes, you will find yourself unable to complete the workout. Other times, you will scream and pound the wall trying to catch your breath.
That’s okay and completely normal.
Boxing is a great place to embrace failure and learn from your mistakes. It helps you develop the “fighting spirit” that you can use not just inside the ring but in many situations in life.
Eventually, you will learn to value hard work. You will find that there’s nothing you can’t achieve when you put your mind and body to it.
Conclusion
There is no denying that boxing is good for your body. But it’s equally beneficial for your mind too, as numerous studies suggest.
Boxing is an intense and highly challenging sport that helps you de-stress, regulate your emotions, build your confidence, and improve your sleep quality.
Plus, boxing can help you focus and develop self-awareness and resilience – two things that greatly help you deal with the challenges that come your way.
