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Tai Chi: What Are The Psychological Benefits?
People have been practicing Tai Chi for centuries in the East for health and fitness, and now it’s becoming more popular in the West. Studies have revealed that it could help with various chronic conditions.
People who practice Tai Chi have reported better balance, strength, flexibility, heart and lung health, less pain, and an overall improvement in their quality of life. Recent research also suggests that it seems to boost mood and improve overall mental well-being.
What is Tai Chi
It is a calming martial art that involves a sequence of gentle movements to enhance both physical and mental well-being.
Various styles of Tai Chi exist, but they all emphasize mindfulness, proper body alignment, and flexibility.
It is adaptable, with new versions emerging, including shorter routines designed for the elderly.
Psychological Benefits Of Tai Chi
Stress
Researchers conducted several studies to see how Tai Chi affects stress by asking people about their stress levels. In general, they found that it was linked to reduced stress levels in healthy adults, those dealing with stress related to HIV, and elderly Chinese individuals with cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Anxiety
Studies have found that Tai Chi was linked to a positive decrease in anxiety levels, as measured by one or more anxiety assessment tools.
Depression
Most studies found that practicing Tai Chi tended to lower depression. It was also linked to the improvement of symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Mood
Evidence indicates that practicing Tai Chi, whether in the short or long term, has positive effects on mood. It improves the mood of healthy adults, elderly individuals with cardiovascular risk factors, and obese women
Tai Chi And Self-esteem
It is positively associated with improvement in self-esteem
Related: What Causes Low Self-Esteem?
Summary
- Tai Chi, a type of gentle mind-body exercise seems to be a helpful way to boost mental well-being in various groups of people.
- Studies suggest that it might be linked to improvements in mental health, including lower stress, anxiety, and depression
- To truly understand how it can help with specific mental health issues, we need high-quality, well-designed studies.
- Learning more about its physical and mental effects could open up new ways to promote health, and explore how mind-body practices work.
Reference:
- Wang, C., Bannuru, R., Ramel, J., Kupelnick, B., Scott, T., & Schmid, C. H. (2010). Tai Chi on psychological well-being: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 10(1). doi:10.1186/1472-6882-10-23
Nishtha Wadhwa
Dr. Nishtha, a medical doctor holding both an MBBS and an MD in Biochemistry, possesses a profound passion for nutrition and wellness. Her personal journey, marked by significant struggles with physical and mental health, has endowed her with a unique empathy and insight into the challenges countless individuals face. Driven by her own experiences, she leverages her background to offer practical, evidence-backed guidance, empowering others on their paths to achieving holistic well-being. Dr. Nishtha truly believes in the interconnectedness of the mind and body. She emphasizes the significance of understanding this connection as a crucial stride toward attaining balance and happiness in life.