Tai Chi for Your Mind and Spirit

Stress, Anxiety and Depression have reached almost epidemic proportions in large cities all around the world.  It seems that this is a modern phenomena created by our society.  Our senses are constantly being bombarded from all directions. Unfortunately there is little we can do about the hustle and bustle, but we can change our reaction to it.

I am sure you have noticed that people react completely differently to the same situation.  What is shocking to one person hardly affects another. The situation is the same, only how you view it changes.  The ability to react in proportion to what is a happening around you is very important not only to your mental wellbeing but also to your physical health.  If you are constantly stressed and anxious you will be secreting stress hormones into your system damaging your health and your life expectancy to boot.

Tai Chi encourages you to focus on the exercises at hand and forget your every day concerns.  By doing so, your mind is allowed to relax and be at ease.  This period of deep and focused relaxation acts as a tonic to your mind and body.

Research at La Trobe University in Australia found that participants raised their heart rates, increased noradrenaline-excretion and salivary cortisol. The participants reported that they felt less tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion and anxiety.  They also stated they felt more vigorous, and had less mood disturbance.

What is Stress?

There are many causes of stress, but it simply boils down to a conflict with something that appears to be more powerful than you.  You will note I say ‘appears to be more powerful than you’.  Quite often we stress ourselves over a situation that we are more than able to resolve, if we thought about it clearly and logically.

Stress is normal; when it becomes distress we need to worry.  Without a certain amount of stress we cannot perform and raise our game, therefore it is important to be able to be able to differentiate between the good and the bad.

Unfortunately, the label stress has now become muddied due to the overuse of the word.  Stress has become a cover-all label for many states that do not deserve the title.  Simply feeling uncomfortable in a situation is not necessary stressful.  It is only when you cannot cope with the situation that you could truly be described as stressful.

For example, when you get a new job, initially you are nervous and a little anxious about what you are going to have to deal with on the first day and you might believe you are afraid.  Quite often by the end of the first day, your confidence has recovered markedly.  You have found that your co-workers are friendly and that you have all the required skills to do the job well.  In reality, what you were experiencing was your mind readying itself to excel.  You were in a very resourceful state; it was simply you ascribing a name to physical sensations that appeared to be fearful and thus stressful.

The states of arousal associated with stress can be divided into four approximate zones.

Relaxed

You are relaxed and at ease, problems are far away.  Stress is nonexistent in this state.  We all need to be in this area on a fairly regular basis to build our energies.  Examples of relaxed zones are weekends and holidays.

Resourceful

You are energised – raring to go.  Although you may at times feel slightly out of your depth, you are sure you can handle it, you feel confident.  You enjoy the challenge.  The most important aspect of this state is that you feel resourceful.  When you are in this zone you feel that you’re being stretched but you are enjoying it.

Doubtful

Events are starting to become a bit too much for you and you are not sure you can handle it.  You may use terms such as, ‘you don’t understand the pressure I’m under’.  It is almost as if you constantly have to run to keep up with the pace.  In reality, this is an extension of the zone before, Resourceful.  It is inevitable if we stay in the ‘resourceful’ state for too long we will tire and slip over into this zone.  The answer is simply to take a day or two off and relax completely.  After a couple of days, you will find that when you go back to work you will be back in the Resourceful zone once again.

Despair

‘I can’t cope’ is a phrase that characterizes this area.  This is not a good place to be in for extended periods of time.  You need outside help to get you out of this zone.  It might be that a friend, colleague, or, if it has become chronic, a skilled practitioner is required to help you see your way through.  The most important point is that you start to recognize when you have been in the Doubtful state for too long.  When that happens, you can easily slide into the despairing state.  The rule of thumb is when you need help, ask for it.

Regular practice of Tai Chi can keep you feeling centered and in control. The elevated awareness associated with Tai Chi practice can prevent you from inadvertently sleeping into the more unpleasant states mentioned above that are so common in our society today.

SLEEP

A good nights sleep is not only fundamental to good health but also your mental wellbeing.  It is in sleep where the body repairs itself and the mind works out problems that could not be solved during the day.  Poor sleep quality can lead to ill health and a shortening of life.  Tai Chi is great at calming the mind down and soothing the nervous system leading to a sound night’s sleep.  But it is not just the young and middle age benefit it is also very important to the elderly who can suffer more than most from poor quality sleep.

Tai Chi Tip

Start to take notice of your mental state throughout the day, especially when you begin to feel slightly agitated or anxious.  Ask yourself why is this happening? Is it something you cannot do or are you just lacking a bit of self-confidence in this instance? If you think it is necessary have a chat to someone you trust who might just give you the support you need to see you through.  But be aware that the greatest and most successful people in the world have a team of advisors and supporters, who is the team supporting you and who in turn do you support?