Tai chi can relieve stress, boost the immune system and help people stay active. Sounds like just the tonic, hey?
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Newcastle tai chi teacher Amanda Heidke said research showed tai chi can boost the immune system probably due to its combined effects of exercise, relaxation and meditation.
Amanda said tai chi was thought to promote "T-cell activity" by dampening the "fight or flight" nervous system response and lowering stress levels.
"Constant stress over a prolonged period can prejudice the immune system, for which tai chi is an obvious and potentially significant coping mechanism, helping us to get through the extended Covid-19 pandemic environment with all its attendant medical, economic and social fears," she said.
Amanda normally runs her tai-chi classes in community, church and school halls, but they've been closed because of the coronavirus.
She's worried about her students and paying the bills.
"I'm trying to stay as positive as possible. I know panic or pessimism isn't the way out of this crisis. We're still a community. We help each other in our darkest hour."
To help herself cope with the pandemic, Amanda is - of course - turning to tai chi.
"My passion is tai chi. For me, it's not an activity or superficial thing but a deep and personal connection I have with my students," she said.
Tai chi helps frame her attitude towards herself and others, especially in times of stress.
"So, I will definitely be practicing tai chi at home, whether in lockdown or otherwise, until life returns to normal. And it will," she said.
She also plans to garden and do odd jobs at home that "I've put off for too long and for which I now have no excuse".
"We're in this together. Difficult times bring out the best in us, and I find that having a determined community spirit helps. No matter how bad my lot is, there are always others in even more difficult circumstances."
She said much of this crisis was beyond our control.
"Try to let go of all the stuff you just can't fix. Conversely, do everything practical within your control to mitigate against the worst impacts," she said.
"Secondly, be mindful. Help someone else in a worse predicament than you. It sounds so simple, but just giving is such a healing force and brings perspective - the healthy reality check.
"It also tends to have a boomerang effect, which is the very community spirit we need right now locally, nationally and globally."
She said there would always be hope, no matter how bad things get.
"Things will eventually turn around. Never let your spirit wither into defeat," she said.
"This is a war we, as a community, will win. Wherever there's a person helping or smiling, it's humanity 1, virus 0."
Non-Viral Jokes
A man bought his friend an elephant statue for her room. She said thank you. He replied: "Please don't mention it."
A man's wife tells him she hates revolving doors and is afraid that she'll get stuck in them. His response: "You'll come round eventually."
A man calls the hospital to inform them his wife is going into labour. He asks what to do. The hospital operator replies: "Is this her first child?" The man's response: "No, this is her husband."
