Something to be Happy about

There is scientific proof that training martial arts can help increase the production of dopamine!

Dopamine is one of the “feel good” chemicals in our brain, and along with other chemicals like serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins, it plays a vital role in how happy we feel.  Apart from that, our body releases endorphins, which also play an important part in helping us feel great after working out. Therefore, martial arts not only keep us fit, but it is also a fun way to keep active whilst staying happy and stress-free!  So if you’re tired of keeping your happiness on hold, read on and find out how martial arts can help you live your happiness.

• As mentioned, martial arts increase the production of dopamine, but there’s more! Unfortunately, as we grow older, our body losses approximately 6-7 percent of the receptors necessary for the production of this “feel good” chemical, with every decade of our life.  That’s the bad news, but the good news is, that training martial arts at either of Premier Academy’s Woodvale or Clarkson schools can help increase the production of dopamine, regardless of age.  Now that’s something to be happy about.

• Martial arts help you sleep better: It’s a well known fact, that a good night’s sleep not only helps your body to repair, but it also plays an essential part in healthy brain function and emotional well-being. A study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation shows, that people who exercise at least 150 minutes a week tend to sleep better and are more alert the next day.  So if you have trouble sleeping at night, then what are you waiting for? Your solution to a good night’s sleep is training two to three times a week at Premier Martial Arts and Fitness Academy’s Clarkson or Woodvale schools.  You’ll wake up in a good mood and feel like you can take on the world the next day. Now that’s something to be happy about.

• Martial arts help you to de-stress: By sweating out any negative energy you may be suppressing, training martial arts also gets your calories burning, your heart racing and your hormones pumping positive changes in your body – and all of this happens without you even realising. By being subjected to this type of low-level stress through training and engaging in physical activity, you don’t even realise how much you’re helping your body and your mind to become resilient to stress and eventually to get better at handling all types of stressors life throws at you.  Stress can no longer stop your spirit from soaring.  Now that’s something to be happy about.

• Martial arts keep the blues away: Depression has become the dis-ease of the 21^st century and 1 in 16 Australians currently experience depression (statistics–Beyond Blue).  However, according to psychologists, there is enough data to suggest that people who are active also appear to suffer less from depression than their inactive counterparts.  So, instead of turning to those prescription medicines, choose to train at Premier Martial Arts and Fitness Academy, because as we’ve seen above, exercise helps you stay fit, sweats out the stress, keeps your mood in check and kick’s depression’s ass. A fit, healthy, de-stressed and joyful person – that could be you.  Now that’s something to be happy about. 

If the above doesn’t convince you that martial arts can bring happiness and you haven’t stepped on the mats yet, what are you waiting for! Come and try if for yourself. Premier Martial Arts and Fitness Academy has classes in Woodvale and Clarkson for kids from the age of 18 months – as well as for teens and adults – that will help keep you on the road to happiness!