Individual Stress Prevention through Qigong
Author: Karen van Dam1
Affiliation:
1 Faculty of Psychology, Open University of the Netherlands, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands.
Conference/Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health
Date published: 2020 Oct 8
Other:
Volume ID: 17 , Issue ID: 19 , Pages: 7342 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/ijerph17197342. , Word Count: 153
Owing to work intensification and an accelerated pace of life in general, individuals in many Western countries are often overactivated and find it difficult to switch off. However, recovery from physiological and mental activation is critical to prevent stress symptoms and maintain one's physiological and mental well-being. Extensive research evidence indicates that Qigong, a traditional Chinese movement practice for promoting health, provides an effective means to recover from work and off-work demands. The main objective of this paper is to offer a comprehensive, narrative review of the effects of Qigong and its core components. Attention is first paid to the outcomes of work and off-work demands and stress, and the role of recovery for individuals' well-being. Then, Qigong and its components are explained, followed by the results of scientific research. Finally, limitations and implications for research and practiced are discussed.
Keywords: Qigong; meditative movement; recovery; stress prevention; well-being.
PMID: 33050017 PMCID: PMC7579037 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17197342
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