The More You Practice Taekwondo - The Happier And Healthier You Could Be

A great Taekwondo training session releases feel-good endorphins. However, despite its roots stretching back over 2000 years, it is only recently that its numerous health benefits have been revealed in greater depth. A brand new study reported by the Independent declares that practicing a martial art such as Taekwondo not only enhances your mental acuity and your physical strength but also your brain health as it develops strong cognitive control. The physical benefits are easily measured and Taekwondo regularly strengthens your bones and joints as well as increasing one's flexibility. The use of gross and fine motor skills increases the need for a high level of concentration and focus.

Values of Taekwondo

Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and an Indomitable Spirit make up the core values of Taekwondo. A 2013 study by Wilhelm Hofmann concluded people with self-control were happier than those without. In particular, people with self-control were able to make better decisions and avoid behaviours that may be detrimental to their health. Knowing the indicators of good health is imperative in order to be able to look after all aspects of your physical health. The perseverance needed to achieve your goals is practiced often by the Taekwondo student thus they can then choose realistic short and long-term goals with success for both heart and mind. It is the increase in the strength of character that teaches students to thrive in uncomfortable settings and minimise the fear of taking on new things.

Be happy to be healthy

A comprehensive news review published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being examined 'subjective well-being' by looking at how people live and evaluate their lives. Diener echoes Hofmann theorising that happy people will likely take better care of themselves and make healthier choices over their lifestyles. The further implications of happiness on our physical selves are also revealed including positive influences on our hormones, inflammation levels, the speed of healing wounds as well as our cardiovascular and immune systems.

The name Taekwondo translates literally as the way of the foot and the fist, This doesn't do justice to the reality of improved focus and self-reflection as well as the inner strength gained from the long-term practice of a martial art.  Your personal effort is rewarded physically, mentally and contributes to your overall well being.

Writer:  Lucy Wyndham

How TaekwonDo Can Help the Bones and Joints

One surprising fact about TaekwonDo is that it greatly benefits the health of the bones and joints. Teenagers who practise martial arts have been found to have higher bone density than those who do not in studies. This is likely to protect them from bone-related diseases later in life such as osteoporosis which is caused by thinning and weakening bones.

Photo by Nino Liverani on Unsplash