Came here to say this almost exactly. The gifts of the martial arts are numerous, capability, confidence, conditioning, camaraderie, situational awareness, respect. Actively learning to spar puts you under high stress scenario second only to actual combat. Learning how your body reacts and slow down time (gaining choices and options between the beats, under stress), training muscle memory and technique, learning empty hand application can translate to weapons and actually training with sticks, knives, etc so that anything around you can compliment your empty hands. I could go on and on. Get training folks.