BJJ

What Are the Psychological Benefits of BJJ For Your Kids?

What Are the Psychological Benefits of BJJ For Your Kids?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great way to teach kids valuable life lessons that affects both their mental and physical health. Kids can develop positive cognitive and communication skills through athletics. BJJ improves mental health, therefore improving the quality of life later on.


Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art available to people of all ages. One of the reasons why BJJ is so popular is that it encourages pragmatism, discipline, and useful techniques. BJJ students find it most intriguing to spend time learning new techniques that they will be able to use themselves.

1. The Surprising Psychological Factors Of BJJ

1.1. Self-Control

Kids can develop misconceptions about the limits of their physical and mental capabilities. Kids either may overestimate their skills or presume that everything is too difficult. This could become a problem later on if they face social or educational difficulties later on in their lives. BJJ teaches kids to control their emotions, handle their aggression, and remain calm even during stressful situations. BJJ teaches the fundamentals of respect, self-control, and honor. Kids still have a lot to learn and will have to deal with many stressful situations as they grow older. BJJ trains them to overcome anxiety with a calm mind. Self-control strengthens children’s bodies as they use up less energy and move more efficiently.

1.2. Confidence

Practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu helps kids grow in confidence. Kids learning BJJ develop enthusiasm that helps them act mature even when met with failure. BJJ improves mental and psychological strength in kids, which in turn helps them maintain confidence in their abilities. Constant practice will not only help kids feel confident in competitions but also approach other matters in life with confidence. Adopting the mentality they have during BJJ training will make it easier for kids to make rational decisions. For example, kids with BJJ training will be able to better protect themselves when confronting a bully. They will know not to engage a bully if possible and how to exercise self-defense when necessary.

1.3. Endurance Focus

BJJ endurance focus training is not easy at first. Most kids have low attention spans and are easily distracted. Endurance is the ability to continue pushing ahead despite the hardships along the way. According to many psychological research studies, attention focus is a critical factor of a child’s developing psychology. Mental endurance focus helps strengthen kids’ resolve when confronted with challenges. This requires children to learn BJJ to develop self-discipline, perseverance, willpower, and concentration.

1.4. Competitiveness

Being competitive is not necessarily a negative trait for kids to have. Competitiveness can be a great motivation as it improves the cognitive functions of kids. It is only unhealthy if kids become consumed by a desire to win at any cost. Being concerned only with victory will not help kids accept failure and will in fact discourage them from learning from it. In today’s society, being competitive is an essential trait to have in competitions, education, etc. Encouraging this trait in kids will give them the strength and confidence they need to pursue personal goals. BJJ training and competitions are great ways to inspire a competitive mindset in kids.

1.5. Stimulated Mind

Mental stimulation in young children helps promote positive cognitive faculties and emotional stability. Studies have shown that physical activity encourages positive stimulation of the brain. Children’s brains function better if they are presented with mental challenges that force them to think creatively. BJJ practice includes learning coordination that forces kids to think carefully when going through the motions. Having mental clarity when memorizing each step in a BJJ technique will improve coordination and reduce hesitation. BJJ practice emphasizes the importance of adapting quickly. Stimulated minds encourage a sedentary routine like proper sleeping, eating, and recreational patterns. BJJ also helps kids develop a healthier lifestyle that will promote positive lifelong behavior.

1.6. Reduce Stress and Anxiety

BJJ training helps improve children's mental health and reduces stress when practicing. Many kids are usually shy and reserved about meeting new people. If they feel uncomfortable during social interactions, kids may become irritable and have trouble following their routines. Kids also feel stressed and anxious when they have to perform while under duress. BJJ allows kids to feel relaxed even if they lose. Kids don’t feel forced to perform exceptionally and win every time. Instead, kids are encouraged to enjoy themselves while learning about their opponents and new techniques. Every failure becomes a chance for kids to learn where they are lacking rather than something to be upset over.

1.7. Make Kids Social

BJJ training is typically held in friendly learning environments like academies. Success and failure are enjoyed best when training together with other kids. BJJ training is a good opportunity for kids to socialize with other like-minded kids. This is a great environment for kids to be exposed to new cultures, ethnicities, and religions. As kids get to know each other better, they develop a closer bond between them. If they play and train as a team in BJJ, they can form lasting bonds with their teammates.

2. BJJ Training Helps With Mental Strength

BJJ helps develop mental stability and toughness in kids. Some kids struggle with uncertainty or panic in stressful situations. But luckily, BJJ practice helps them to remain vigilant in case of danger. Studies have shown that children who practice BJJ perform better in school. Kids learn how to balance work, fun, and studies, which eventually makes them more capable adults in the future.


Practicing meditation and proper body posture also helps kids feel calmer. BJJ training is more than learning grappling, takedowns, and chokeholds; it is a way for kids to create a balance between the mind and body. Places like BJJ academies offer positive training environments free of negative influences that allow kids to develop mental toughness. When kids start handling l challenges with little help from the instructors, then kids take another step toward independence.

2.1. Enhanced Learning

BJJ training is a special kind of education that improves children's ability to learn in other fields. BJJ training programs increase the difficulty of the exercises to give kids new challenges to overcome. Slowly increasing the difficulty and number of exercises will encourage BJJ kids to take on a wider learning curve. Drills help kids to develop muscle memory which makes it easier to retain knowledge when studying. Extracurricular activities like martial arts encourage kids to pursue education outside of normal classes, plus kids are better equipped to protect themselves when on the street. Studies have shown that 73% of kids who learn BJJ adopt the values of BJJ such as punctuality in other aspects of life.

3. Last Words

BJJ is a beneficial martial art because it aids in the physical and psychological development of children. Most experts suggest that martial arts incorporate intense exercises that help increase fitness and mentally stimulate kids by presenting healthy challenges. With the help of BJJ trainers, kids learn to balance different aspects of their life without being overwhelmed, improving their mental fortitude. BJJ kids are able to handle themselves better in stressful situations.


The combination of teaching styles, class schedules, and training management would allow young students to learn BJJ in a way that would promote a healthy mind and lifestyle.

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