As we get older often sleeping difficulties kick in and in the main people suffer rather than seek treatment. Those that do turn to drugs often suffer strong side effects. However help is at hand in the form of a 2,000 year old martial art system called tai chi chih.
Researchers at UCLA have found that practicing this westernised version of this ancient Chinese martial art can alleviate sleeping problems in adults suffering from mild sleep disorders. Research was carried out on a test group of 112 adults from age 59 to 86. The group was picked and split randomly into two groups. One group was taught 20 basic tai chi chih exercises and practiced these over a 25 week period. The second group had health education classes that covered topics such as diet, sleeping habits and stress management.
Participants rated their sleep quality over a four week period and the study concluded that the tai chi chih group had improved quality, length of sleep and lessening of drowsiness during the day in comparison to the other group.
Dr. Michael Irwin, one of the study’s leading authors said:
“Poor sleeping constitutes one of the most common difficulties facing older adults. It’s not uncommon for older adults to experience daytime confusion, drowsiness, falls and fractures, and adverse interactions with other medications they may be taking.”
He went on to say about tai chi chih:
“It’s a form of exercise virtually every elderly person can do, and this study provides more across-the-board evidence of its health benefits.’