This pandemic has taken an emotional and physical toll on many of us. The news is depressing and it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. According to a poll by the American Psychiatric Association, more than one-third of Americans say that the pandemic is having a serious impact on their mental health. And let’s not forget about our physical health, as many American become less active and isolate at home.
I’ve spoken to several of my students over the past few months and an inertia seems to have set in. Too much negative news, too much social isolation, a complete change in routine, and feeding our souls (or body) with too much comfort food. This is exactly why now is not the time to give up your Tai Chi journey. Tai Chi has both immediate and residual effects on the mind and body.
I’ll name just a few reasons why practicing is important:
Immunity: Our immune systems are designed to fight off sicknesses and viruses. When your immunity weakens or breaks down, disease has an opportunity to set in. Tai Chi has been proven to increase and/or enhance immunity by enhancing blood oxygen saturation. Age can be one of many reasons for oxygen deficiency and it’s related decline in immunity.
Chronic stress, is another culprit for immune system breakdown and propagation of disease. Keep in mind that COVID-19 is a virus, and viruses don’t respond to antibiotics. Will Tai Chi prevent COVID-19? No. But a stronger immune system helps us to stay healthy and resist bacteria and viruses.
Anxiety: Who among us doesn’t feel anxiety about the pandemic, the political environment, and social unrest, not to mention our finances, jobs, etc.? Anxiety can create both emotional and physical problems. Anxiety is further complicated by the fact that you can’t control many of the stressors in your life.
And yes, that includes other people.
Tai Chi’s slow, meditative movements require a high level of concentration, which in turn encourage a profound calm. With regular practice, this calm state becomes part of the practitioner, reducing their anxiety and allowing them to cope in a calm and peaceful manner.
Depression: Tai Chi focuses attention on the body, posture, movement, and breathing. Focus is taken away from stressors, and repeating movements in a mindful way can divert attention and relieve the depressive symptoms. It can also modulate brain structures in the area related to mood regulation.
Balance: We know Tai Chi improves balance and decreases the chance of falls. During this time, we are spending more time at home and exercising (and doing Tai Chi) less. Consistency of exercise, particularly Tai Chi, is important to maintain balance and proprioception. Tai Chi walking can also be your bridge to meditation. Combining meditation and physical activity is the emerging foundation of integrative medicine.
Pain: Tai Chi, Qigong, and Yoga are recognized as complementary approaches to relieving musculoskeletal pain. The less active we are, the more pain and loss of strength we experience. Studies show that as we learn to use our body as a whole (as in Tai Chi) the less pain and more comfort we will experience.
Insomnia: Poor or inadequate sleep can be detrimental to one’s health, vitality, and resilience. Poor sleepers tend to be sicker, but studies have shown that people who perform Tai Chi had a significant improvement in the quality of their sleep, took less time to fall asleep, awakened less, fell asleep faster, slept longer, and felt better rested.
Bottom Line: Physical exercise can boost your happiness and release feel-good brain chemicals. Keep moving and keep practicing. Commit to 10 minutes a day. You may find you feel so much better that 10 minutes turns into 20 or more.
And last, but not least, connect with others. It’s not the number of relationships that make the difference, but the quality! As Jeanne C. Stein states in Blood Drive, “Life may not be the party we hoped for…but while we’re here we may as well dance.”
Exchange “dance” for Tai Chi and enjoy the journey!