Contents:
- Medical Video: Chi Gong and Tai Chi (Qi Gong) Energy Healing Exercises
- What is tai chi?
- Benefits of tai chi for general body health
- Why is tai chi useful as a natural depression medicine?
- Is tai chi safe for all ages?
- Depression cannot only be treated with tai chi
Medical Video: Chi Gong and Tai Chi (Qi Gong) Energy Healing Exercises
Sports are often associated with a variety of physical benefits, from cutting fat to forming a sixpack stomach. But not many know that exercise can also improve mental health and mood, which can be very beneficial if you are depressed. One type of exercise that can be a natural depression medicine is tai chi exercise. Consider the explanation of the benefits of tai chi as a depression medication in this article.
What is tai chi?
Tai chi, also called tai chi chuan, is a physical exercise and a mild stretch of the Chinese tradition that involves a series of slow and focused movements, and accompanied by deep breathing. Every Tai chi movement is designed to flow without pause to make sure your body keeps moving.
Tai chi is different from yoga, another type of meditative movement. Yoga includes various physical postures and breathing techniques, along with meditation.
Benefits of tai chi for general body health
If properly studied and done regularly, tai chi can have a positive impact on your health. The benefits of tai chi include:
- Reducing depression and anxiety
- Improve mood
- Increase energy and stamina
- Increase flexibility, balance and agility
- Increase muscle strength
In addition, tai chi can also help improve sleep quality; enhance the immune system; help lower blood pressure; overcome joint pain; improve symptoms of congressive heart failure; reduce the risk of falling in older adults. But these additional benefits still need further research.
Why is tai chi useful as a natural depression medicine?
Research participants were asked to routinely explore tai chi for 3 times a week with a total duration of 12 weeks. At the end of the observation, patients who showed symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders were reported to gradually improve their mental condition compared to participants who did not do tai chi.
When a follow-up survey was conducted three months later, these patients showed a stable mental state. This is where the assumption of tai chi is useful as a natural depression medicine.
A review study of a collection of scientific journals shows that tai chi provides many benefits for the good psychological conditions including dealing with depression, anxiety, or solely dealing with stress.
Is tai chi safe for all ages?
Tai chi is a low-intensity exercise that puts light pressure on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. Tai chi is also cheap, can be done anywhere, and does not require special equipment. You can also do tai chi alone or in groups in a class.
Although tai chi is generally safe, a pregnant woman or someone who has joint problems, back pain, fractures, severe osteoporosis, or a hernia should consult a doctor before trying tai chi.
Depression cannot only be treated with tai chi
Although tai chi is reported to be useful as a natural depression medication, treating depression only with exercise alone is not recommended. Clinical depression is a real medical condition that needs the help of a doctor, either in the form of prescription antidepressants or behavioral therapy (CBT), or both conditions.
If you experience symptoms of clinical depression, contact your doctor immediately to get the right treatment.
