Martial Arts & Neuroticism

Life has a way of changing your perspective. Last night, a swarm of honeybees decided that a spot on our house looked warm and inviting. Northern Flickers also enjoy our home, and patching up the damage they cause is a never-ending process. We were just getting ready to patch some of those “flicker” holes when the bees showed up. So now, what to do?

I like honey. After all, land flowing with "milk and honey" is a blessing from God (Numbers 14:8). I don’t mind bees either (from a distance), and I know several people who keep them. So, we called around and found someone willing to don the beekeeper’s garb and come “collect” them for their hive. Unfortunately, by the time they arrived this morning, the bees had established themselves inside the walls of our home—all thanks to the perfect-sized hole gifted to them by the ever-lovely flickers (yes, that is a hint of sarcasm).

Right about the same time we were discovering the bees in our midst, a family member of a dear friend was stung by a bee (he lives in another state) and ended up receiving emergency services after experiencing an extreme reaction. He is okay, thankfully. However, these two separate, but related events affect the way I am coping with the squatters who appear to “bee” here for good. My feelings on the subject bring me to the topic of this post: neuroticism.

Neuroticism defined

Currently, neuroticism is categorized as an anxiety disorder, and according to the American Psychological Association, “neuroticism, as a fundamental trait of general personality, refers to an enduring tendency or disposition to experience negative emotional states.”

I am not a psychologist, so my experience with this term has generally been as an insult to someone who is perceived as “neurotic” or in other words, a little “crazy.” However, in this more specifically defined term, I see myself. In fact, I would be willing to guess that at different points in our lives, we have all experienced periods of high neuroticism.

Martial arts & neuroticism

As a parent, deciding between the many different extracurricular activities our children can or will participate in can be overwhelming. There are financial considerations as well as considerations of time, interest, and potential benefits to the child. Of course, the answer will not be the same for every family or even for every child within a family but understanding the benefits of the various options can help.

To that end, researchers from the University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia examined differences in what are considered the “big five” elements of personality in athletes who participate in team sports versus those who participate in combat sports.

These researchers gave questionnaires to 149 respondents and concluded that competitors in combat sports display neuroticism to a lesser extent that those who compete in team sports. The authors concluded that this result is likely attributable, at least in part, to the emphasis that is placed on practicing self-control. Consequently, participating in a combat sport has the potential to be highly beneficial for children with a tendency toward neuroticism.

Lifelong benefits of martial arts

Individuals who score high in neuroticism as a personality trait tend to be shy and self-conscious, often experiencing feelings of “anxiety, anger, guilt, and depression.” In addition, studies have shown that they tend to struggle in personal relationships, regardless of age. Martial arts in general are a great way to learn mental and emotional techniques for managing the anxiety that contributes to neurotic behavior. The benefits are life-long. I intend to use some of those skills as I think about the latest “buzz” around our house.