Stress is one of the hardest things to control in life. Although we have choices in what directions we take and how we are going to deal with problems that confront us, there are still an endless number of stressors that present themselves from day to day. Some are merely annoying; some are daunting.

Nonetheless, keeping stress at a minimum is especially important for those of us with diabetes. There are many ways to do that – talking to friends, relaxation exercises and meditation, finding creative outlets to redirect our attention for a time, walking – another I have come upon is tai chi.

According to the Harvard Medical school, there are many physical, mental and emotional benefits to practicing tai chi.

Tai chi has been described as “meditation in motion”. It is a mind-body practice that is easy to learn and can be taken up even by those who have not exercised for a quite a while.

Because it helps with muscle strength, flexibility and balance it is an all-round beneficial practice. Studies have shown increased ability in all these areas in older people.

Any kind of physical activity helps reduce stress. The calm, steady movements of tai chi along with the mental focus needed while doing it help to relax the body and mind - many benefits from one ancient practice.