COPING WITH CHANGE CAN BE A CHALLENGING TIME FOR ANYONE. Coping with change can be a challenging time for anyone. ‘Fear of the unknown’ plays a large part in the worry that we all experience when major changes to our lives occur. The good news however, is that there is a way to combat that fear and better cope with upheaval and it comes in the form of martial arts training. Self-Discipline Identifying and dealing with negative and frustrating feelings that often accompany change are skills taught in martial arts classes up and down the country. Having the ability to effectively manage your feelings and minimise their effects is such a useful skill to have and it is one that will stay with a student throughout their lives. Anxiety The exercise carried out in the course of a 50-minute class, directly combats stress and can hugely decrease levels of depression and anxiety. The endorphins released are known to reduce pain and gives a person a ‘feel good’ outlook on life. Anxiety can take many forms and if anger rears it head, a martial arts student is typically much better placed to manage that feeling and deal with it. Feelings of anger and frustration are to be expected when a big change is happening, so it’s obviously going to have a positive effect. Confidence When someone is removed from their ‘comfort zone’, which is what often happens change occurs, it can give their self-esteem a knock. New people and new surroundings can lead to feelings of insecurity – just try and remember back to your first day at a new school. It can be terrifying! Martial arts, when practiced regularly, give a person a sense of confidence, discipline, self-control and a general sense of calmness. All these things go into making someone stronger and better able to cope with change. Should you wish to find out more about how martial arts can be used to help you or your family deal with the stresses of daily life and everything it throws at you, give us a call on 01442 795001 or visit our website www.tringmartialarts.com for more information. Martial arts represent a state of mind and the lessons it teaches, forms the perfect platform from which to lead a happy and balanced life. We look forward to talking with you.