Tai chi has benefits for heart patients

Research suggests that tai chi can have lasting health benefits and is great for strengthening your mind-body connection. It can improve balance and coordination, and calm the mind, thanks to its focus on mindfulness, motion and breath. It has also been found to improve bone density and immune function. According to research recently published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, this mindbody exercise is linked to a boost in both mood and quality of life in people with cardiovascular disease.

That’s something that many of the nation’s 121.5 million people with cardiovascular disease can certainly benefit from. Nearly a quarter of those folks suffer from depression. Symptoms of heart disease, such as shortness of breath, also can lead to lower quality of life. The new study found practicing tai chi can alleviate such symptoms.

So, if you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, one way to safely and enjoyably increase physical activity and decrease stress is to take up tai chi. Google “online Tai Chi instruction” for a lot of free resources, and check out sharecare.com for in-depth information and videos.

Dementia and attitude

Remember the seven dwarfs from the 1937 Disney classic “Snow White”? Well, turns out Grumpy was setting himself up for big problems down the road, according to new research published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Chronic repetitive negative thinking, RNT, is associated with memory decline and brain deposits of amyloid tangles and tau protein — hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers evaluated the RNT of a subset of study participants and found that it didn’t increase as the signs of Alzheimer’s did. Says head researcher Dr. Natalie Marchant, “The data support the hypothesis that RNT may be a risk factor for, rather than an early symptom of, dementia.”

RNT may contribute to Alzheimer’s because of stress associated with negative thinking, which can damage cognition. Stress also plays a role in amyloidand tau-related brain changes. Fortunately, you can become less Grumpy.

Research shows that smiling more (even for no reason), boosts your mood. So does adopting good posture.

Focus on what you feel grateful for. Do one kind act a day.

Give yourself happy moments. A study in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that trying to make yourself happier does just that!

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.