Can Tai Chi help overcome insomnia?

Many who suffer sleepless nights, struggling to fall asleep, waking repeatedly, or lying awake for hours, look for a remedy beyond pills or therapy.

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In recent years, Tai Chi has emerged as a gentle, low-cost, drug-free possibility. This ancient Chinese practice, combining slow flowing movements, breath control, and meditative focus, is gaining attention as a potential aid for insomnia.

Several major reviews of scientific studies now suggest that regular Tai Chi practice can significantly improve sleep quality. In one systematic review and meta-analysis covering 11 studies with nearly a thousand participants, researchers found that 1.5 to 3 hours of Tai Chi per week over six to 24 weeks produced a strong improvement in sleep quality, both among healthy adults and people with chronic conditions. A more recent meta-analysis focused specifically on people with insomnia or poor sleep found that Tai Chi lowered scores on the widely used Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), indicating better rest.