I personally do Muay Thai, Yaw-Yan & Dutch Kickboxing, and trust me, getting regularly kicked and punched in the gut (not the head - you always need to protect your head, but this article deals with the carthartic effects of being hit elsewhere) or on any other, non-critical part of your body, is a really good emotional catharsis and a stress release.

Of course, you need to sign a dangerous injury waiver before participating and maybe take a medical exam in certain specific situations, but once that is cleared up you can usually get your first lesson as a free trial drop-in class at most gyms.

If you want immediate sparring opportunities either have pre-existing kickboxing / taekwondo / kyokushin sparring experience or opt for a judo / BJJ class as those will spar from day one. If you want to try the cardio first or don't care to fight immediately but just want the lesser catharsis of a sweaty workout, taking Muay Thai from the level that of a total greenhorn, is still a good option.

Make sure you sign up with a gym that spars regularly. Some gyms don't spar every class and some require proficiency levels or sparring qualification to spar. Avoid those. In my experience the ones that spar regularly do so because they train fighters for combat sports not for self defense. So an MMA gym or school is better for you over a traditional dojo.

Also avoid contract gyms or schools with yearlong commitments unless you can get somebody else to pay your membership fee. These are often called a mcdojo and it's not a good concept. Avoid those.

Unfortunately in my case my current MMA school is a contract gym with sparring qualification requirements. I fucked up when selecting my gym of choice. Please learn from my errors and don't repeat my mistakes unless you have no better options.

I've found that having a regular sparring class or session to look forward to on a regular, more than once per week basis, is a good motivator to continue living. The sparring session will release pent up stress and anxiety and the schedule will give you something to look forward to which enables you to adopt regularity, which will improve your overall mental health.

Take my word & try it! 😀

This was about actual fighting sports and physical combat sports training, not so much gaming, useful as a means to curb depression and other mental illness. It is shared to your community because of relevance. It is also shared to the FGC and Mugen communities' random categories because exposure. If you don't want it there, just eject it... But I hope you guys will keep it. 🙏🏻

I'm just trying to be helpful to people needing advice. 😜