Personally, I have always felt better when I have been training. It seems there are reasons for this, please follow the link to a literature review article on the subject.
Psychosocial Benefits of the Martial Arts: Myth or Reality? by Brad Binder Ph.D.
http://userpages.chorus.net/wrassoc/articles/psychsoc.htm
As one might expect, continued long term participation reduces hostility and has a calming effect on the practioner. Additionally, the article suggests improvement in self esteem, confidence, independence and self-reliance. I have been sold for years; however, it is nice to know that this is being studied by the academic community.
Filed under: Martial Arts
I can say that I whole-heartedly agree with this article as much as possible. I have been training for over 3 years and have noticed many benefits, none the least is enhanced self-control.
This is one of the reasons that martial-arts have become so monopolized by parents for children. They get to learn discipline and other principles as tools that they can use for their entire lives.