Yeah, I hear ya. Well I study five elements for fun as an herbalist and thought it was interesting how it corresponded to fighting, though I can't say I've found a lot of use for it.
One good use, though, is to be able to recognize one's own imbalances and how that might affect you in a high-stress situation, and then try to work on ways to control it before you get in that situation.
Unfortunately for me, that means I have to do a lot of zazen and go to bed earlier.
I do notice that the more open you are (call it chakras, meridians or just being open spiritually) the less it sucks when you get hit a lot (or taking cold water showers or whatnot). I've read studies that say the more you are relaxed the less injuries you have in car accidents, which is why drunk people often get out unscathed... something like trying to break a hose versus trying to break a stick. And part of that, uh, cultivating that state of relaxation/balance/etc. could involve balancing the elements. Or not.