With so many people these days leading hectic, over-stimulated, and sleep-deprived lives, it’s no wonder that worry and anxiety is at an all time high. In a way, our brains are hard wired to be on the lookout for threats and reasons to worry, despite whether they are real or imagined.
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What this means is that even if we are totally safe and secure, because our brains are on the lookout for potential threats or problems it can still be difficult to let go of a sense of something’s not right.
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There’s little doubt that if you are laying awake at night worrying about things that you can’t change or deal with right now, or you are anxious around finances, relationships, work, or anything at all, then heading to the dojo may be one way that can help.
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Talk to any martial artist, and you’ll discover that their training has toughened him/her up, both physically and mentally. This is because, like in life, training also comes with obstacles and challenges, so it boils down to how you choose to handle them.
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If you’re someone who tends to focus on the negative aspect of things, getting along to the dojo, could be just what you need to turn this weakness into a strength. Once you get stronger and learn to see the glass as half full, rather than half empty, there’s no doubt you will be able to look on the bright side of life – even outside the dojo.
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A recent study examining the effects of martial arts training on mental health examined 14 studies and found that martial arts training had a positive effect on mental health outcomes. The study found that martial arts training had a medium effect on reducing internalizing mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression; and a small effect on increasing wellbeing.
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So there you have it. The Dojo…A brief vacation from your problems. 
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References: (Moore, B., Dudley, D. & Woodcock, S. The effect of martial arts training on mental health outcomes: a systematic review and metaanalysis, Under review).
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 Photo Credit: International Meibukan Okinawa Gojuryu Karate – Center: Meitoku Yagi – Left: Akihito Yagi – Right: Akihiro Yagi.
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