From 2003 to 2011, the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) showed an increase of 42% of children diagnosed between ages 4-17 with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).1 The way that conventional methods used in western societies to treat this is to medicate with pharmaceuticals even to this day. These pharmaceuticals are divided into stimulants vs non-stimulant drugs. Some side effects of the stimulant drugs include:2
Mild belly pain
Headache
Irritability or anxiousness
Sleep problems
Reduced appetite
Some side effects of the non-stimulant drugs include:2
• Sleepiness
Reduced appetite
Upset stomach
With a growing number of kids and now adults having attention problems (ADD, ADHD, etc), it is vitally important to find ways that are effective in treating them. Yoga, Qigong, and Tai Chi are great ways to do this! If you’re child or adult finds it boring or uninteresting, incorporating some Kung Fu can help keep interest. Kung Fu uses Qigong for self defense and is also a great form of exercise!
Qigong has been shown to greatly help all forms of systems revolving around attention.3 If you or someone close you suffers with an kind of attention disorder, there may be some benefit with these practices.
References:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
Felt BT, Biermann B, Christner JG, et al. Diagnosis and management of ADHD in children. Am
Fam Physician. 2014 Oct 1;90(7):456-64
Jha, A. P., Krompinger, J., & Baime, M. J. (2007). Mindfulness training modifies subsystems of attention. Cognitive, affective & behavioral neuroscience, 7(2), 109–119.
Till next time. Thank you,
