COVID-19 has been the nightmare that just won’t quit. We know the drill—fever, dry cough, and in severe cases, things can get real ugly with respiratory failure and even death. But here’s something you might not expect: Traditional Chinese Exercises (TCE) like Tai Chi and Baduanjin are getting some serious attention for helping COVID-19 patients recover.

These exercises mix breathwork, movement, and mindfulness to boost immunity, ease anxiety, and improve lung function. While they’re not a cure, studies show they can seriously help with recovery, especially for older adults and those in early stages.

So, what’s the science? TCEs (we’re talking about practices like Tai Chi and Baduanjin) seem to help with respiratory function—perfect for a disease that targets your lungs. They can even help regulate your immune system, which takes a beating with COVID. There’s some evidence these exercises increase the levels of helpful immune cells and reduce inflammation. Think of it like a gentle, yet powerful, system tune-up.

Tai Chi, for example, isn’t just slow-mo martial arts—it’s a combo of physical movements, breathing, and mindfulness. This can reduce stress, improve sleep, and help with heart health. Similarly, Baduanjin, known as the “Eight-Section Brocade,” involves slow, flowing movements that improve your body’s qi (think of it like your internal energy flow). These exercises are all about balance and helping your body and mind recover after a heavy hit.

In China, some COVID-19 patients were even seen practicing these exercises alongside healthcare workers in hospitals. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rehab guidelines have even included TCE as part of their recovery protocol. And no, it’s not just hype—the research is showing real benefits.

Sure, more research is needed to see exactly how effective these are, but when it comes to boosting immunity and speeding up recovery, TCE seems to be a promising player on the COVID field.

Yang S, Liu T, Xiong J, Teng Y, Guo Y, Yu S, Zeng F. Traditional Chinese exercise potential role as prevention and adjuvant therapy in patients with COVID-19. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021 May;43:101379. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101379. Epub 2021 Apr 2. PMID: 33839522; PMCID: PMC8017910.