The Practice Of Tai Chi For Stress Relief
Tai Chi. The body's reaction to stress is meant to protect us as it adjusts to its surroundings to maintain homeostasis. Our natural reactions to danger or challenge can be positive, but when we feel intense pressure or out of control these reactions become negative stress.
Signs of stress can include headaches; stomachaches, fatigue and symptoms can worsen to depression, hypertension, migraines, ulcers, and insomnia. For those who harbor anxiety, the stress response remains and can lead to more serious health problems such as heart attack, diabetes, cancer, thyroid problems. Different people experience stress differently and may experience one or more effects.
Taking a holistic approach to stress for relieves and to manage stress and its symptoms is most beneficial since stress affects the body, mind and spirit.
One natural method of stress management that has a holistic approach and is very effective is Tai Chi. Tai Chi, or Tai Chi Chuan was first developed as a martial art sometime during the 13th century. Today it is practiced as a series of slow, gentle flowing body movements that put emphasis on concentration, relaxation and the conscious circling for vital energy through the body.
It is recognized and accepted around the world as a great exercise program and a complimentary therapy by even the traditional western medical community as an effective means of reducing stress by calming the mind and conditioning the body including greater balance and increased flexibility.
Perhaps the greatest thing about Tai Chi, besides its effectiveness is that it is self-paced, non-competitive, and is not as strenuous as some of the other programs so it is safe for people of all ages and levels of fitness.
You dont need any special equipment and once you have learned the moves you can practice it yourself, anytime and anywhere that you so choose. There are different styles of Tai Chi and the intensity of tai chi varies somewhat depending on the style.
Today's Stress Cure FactSymptoms Of StressConsidering that up to one in four people suffer from the adverse health affects that stress can cause and it is estimated that possibly anywhere from seventy to ninety percent of adult visits to doctors are due to stress related complaints costing an estimated 300 billion dollars annually to American industry it would be most beneficial to everyone to take a natural approach to stress management.
While everyone experiences stress at some time or another and there are common symptoms and causes, the reaction can be very different from person to person as are the causes of stress. What causes one person to be highly stressed may not bother another in the least. When we are anxious, hurried, worried or feel threatened our bodies begin to tense up. Constant worry or mental anguish causes constant tension, or stress and begins to take a toll on the body, mind and emotions. This may result in anger, depression, fatigue, physical pain, irritability and many other unpleasant and undesirable reactions. If one can identify what it is that causes them to be in this state then stress can be effectively managed and controlled.
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The different styles of tai chi are named for the families that originated them. Some of the more popular styles include Chen, Hao, Sun, Wu, Yang and Zhao Bao. Whether practiced as a martial art, stretching or form of exercise the benefits are numerous. The emphasis is on receptivity, relaxation and inner calmness or peace rather than strength.
As far as physiological responses, cardiovascular and respiratory function are improved as well as having an effect on cortisol and nor epinephrine production. Many older people are attracted to practicing Tai Chi since it is low impact and helps them to improve balance and flexibility which may in turn help to reduce falls, which themselves may cause undue stress.
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Try and find 3 new, and simple things you can work into your schedule every day that will give you pleasure. Just doing some simple pleasures can do trememdous wonders for your ability to deal with stressful situations. |
The thing about stress is that some of the very signs and symptoms that happen as a result are themselves direct contributors to stress. This is why it is important to find something that works for you to help you to maintain a healthy level of stress and to learn how to manage it now and in the future. Practicing Tai Chi has immediate effects as well as residual effects on the mind and body when it comes to stress response.
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Submissions for Community Calendar are required 10 days preceding the date of publication. Send to: Nicole Wagner, Managing Editor, Pioneer Press, 130 S. Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge IL 60068. Information may be faxed to (847) 696-3229 or e-mailed to nwagner@pioneerlocal.com.
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Submissions for Community Calendar are required 10 days preceding the date of publication. Send to: Nicole Wagner, Managing Editor, Pioneer Press, 130 S. Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge IL 60068. Information may be faxed to (847) 696-3229 or e-mailed to nwagner@pioneerlocal.com.
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