Kelly Magazine
  • About
  • Mental Wellness Articles
  • Contact Us
    • Chat with Us
    • Follow Us >
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
  • About
  • Mental Wellness Articles
  • Contact Us
    • Chat with Us
    • Follow Us >
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Benefits of Strategically Punching Things (aka Boxing)

11/5/2020

Comments

 
By: Kelly Halonen, MSW, RSW
Picture
​Have you ever tried boxing? I have found that it is a great way to get exercise and benefit my mental health. You can practice with a partner or do it on your own using a punching bag or just punching the air. Boxing can be great for any skill level.
​Modifications can be made to help if you have an injury or if you just want to build up the skill slowly. I’m going to share with you some of the mental and physical health benefits of boxing in case this is something you would be interested in trying.
Physical Health. Exercise is good for your mind and body. Boxing can help you build up strength in your upper and lower body. It can help lower your blood pressure and limit your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Boxing also helps to improve your hand-eye coordination, balance, and endurance. You may think that’s you’re just standing there punching, but boxing is much more. There is a lot of rotation throughout the core, foot and leg work, as well as punching and kicking. All of this gets your heart pumping in no time.

Boost Your Mood. Because boxing gets your heart pumping, it can help put you in a good mood. Endorphins are the neuro-transmitters that make you feel good, and they are released during exercise when your heart rate is elevated. So, the more you box, the better you’ll feel!

Stress Reliever. Boxing is a great way to get rid of any stress or anger that you may be feeling. The exercise helps work out the stress-energy in your body. Boxing can also be a great way to take out anger, as you can visualize what (or whom) you’re angry at, and take it out on the bag. As a bonus, it will leave you feeling more powerful in your mind and body, and the problems that make you stress out on a daily basis will not seem so big afterwards.

Focus. Boxing allows you to only focus on the task at hand. You need to pay attention to what combinations you are using, where you’re punching or kicking, and your footwork. All of this focus can help distract you from what is stressing you out in life, and give you a break.
​
Boost Your Confidence. Exercise can help get you moving and feeling good about yourself and how you look. Boxing adds another layer as it can make you feel bad-a$$ and strong. I found that learning something that I can use to protect myself helped boost my confidence as a woman. 
Harvard. (2015). Punch up your exercise routine with fitness boxing. Harvard Health
Publishing: Harvard Medical School. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/punch-up-your-exercise-routine-with-fitness-boxing.

March, B. (2018). 6 ways boxing can benefit your mental health: From self-confidence, to stress
relief – and much more. Harpers Bazar. Retrieved from https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/fitness-wellbeing/a19613933/boxing-benefit-mental-health/.

Comments
    Picture

    Categories & Tags

    All Abuse Addiction Animals Anxiety Ask The Therapist Attitude Balance Betrayal Birth Body Image Boundaries Breakups Bullying Burnout Career Change Children Cognitive Distortions Communication Community Conflict Counselling Covid 19 Covid-19 Decisions Depression EMDR Emotions Exercise Exes Family Food Grief Guest Submissions Happiness Health Healthy Healthy Living Hobbies Holiday Home Letters From The Editor LGBTQ+ Lifestyle Loneliness Loss Men's Mental Health Mental Health Mindfulness Nature Pain Parenting Perfectionism PMS Quizzes Relationships Resiliency Respect Seasons Self Care Self-Care Self Harm Self-harm Self-help Self Love Self-love Sex Sexual Assault Sexuality Shame Sleep Stereotypes Stress Suicide Awareness Tattoos Technology Therapy Toxic Transition Trauma Trust Unhealthy Wedding Wellness Women Workplace Worrying Yoga

    Disclaimer: Kelly Magazine, along with all articles and blog posts, is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide personal support as an alternative to psychotherapy services. Please note that replies are viewable by the public, and we may take a few days to respond. If you require immediate assistance, please call Kelly Mental Health during business hours. 
    Picture
Picture

Overview

NWO’s source for all things relationships, mental health, wellness, lifestyle, and pandemic support. Kelly Magazine is a mental health outreach initiative created by Kelly Mental Health and supported by Kelly Mental Health Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the community in the area of mental health.

Magazine

About
​Articles

Follow Us

Contact Us
Clinic / Foundation

In support of @kellymentalhealthfndn

Picture

​© COPYRIGHT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ​WEB DESIGN BY KMH