In addition to being a good source of physical activity, practicing Tai Chi, a form of martial arts, can improve symptoms that are associated with chronic mood disorders, according to a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

A team of researchers collected data from 40 studies conducted nationwide and observed how Tai Chi affected participants who had been diagnosed with depression, stress, anxiety and other mood illnesses.

The investigators found a connection between patients who practiced this form of martial arts and the lowering of their symptoms. The researchers also discovered that these individuals also had an increase in self-esteem and an enhancement in mood.

The conclusion of this study stated that while there is a confirmed association, further research will be needed in order to find what all the health benefits are of practicing Tai Chi.

“[Tai Chi] is believed to improve mood and enhance overall psychological wellbeing, but convincing evidence has so far been lacking,” said Chenchen Wang, an associate professor at the Tufts University School of Medicine. Wang added that this discovery “may lead to new approaches to promote health, treat chronic medical conditions, better inform clinical decisions and further explicate the mechanisms of successful mind-body medicine.”

More than 15 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with a form of depression, according to DepressionStatistics.org.