With the diagnosis of clinical depression and anxiety disorders on the rise, it can leave people feeling at a loss of knowing where to turn, how to find help, and most importantly: how to deal with depression and anxiety in a safe, natural and holistic way. Thankfully, an answer has been found to those questions: yoga.
Yoga is an ancient tradition that incorporates the body, mind and spirit into a practice that dates back over 5000 years. Today, yoga classes can be found everywhere, from local gyms to specialized yoga studios. Yoga is more accessible than ever, and with classes being taught for all levels of practitioners, it’s easy to find a way to practice yoga to fit your lifestyle and schedule.
Yoga has a multitude of benefits in many areas, but most notably, it has been found to greatly assist in helping people cope with their anxiety disorders and depression symptoms. Anxiety and depression have deeply detrimental effects on the mind and body. They increase chronic pain, muscle tension and blood pressure, lower the immune system response, contribute to insomnia and sap energy stores. But there are some simple yoga techniques that can be easily incorporated into a regular schedule that can combat all these symptoms.
The physical benefits to daily yoga practice are numerous. Yoga improves flexibility and strength. It decreases muscle tension, physically releasing stress from tight, anxious muscles. It gives immense strength to the core, helping to better protect the spine and keep the rest of the body better aligned. It decreases joint and arthritic stiffness, encouraging blood flow and circulation. It decreases heart rate and blood pressure, oxygenating the entire system and flushing out bad toxins. Poor posture is corrected and imbalances in muscle systems are alleviated. Yoga also delivers a boost of endorphins that help flush stress chemicals from the brain, leaving you feeling fresh, relaxed and happy.
Yoga promotes mindfulness, an ancient Buddhist practice of meditation that incorporates an accepting and nonjudgmental attitude towards present circumstances. It encourages practitioners to reside in the moment they are in and to observe without judgment their passing thoughts and emotions. This is hugely beneficial to those trying to cope with an anxiety disorder using yoga. It focuses on relaxing deep breathing techniques, helping to reduce anxiety and increase attention on being present with what is happening for the practitioner at that time. Those suffering from anxiety and depression can find a safe and natural way to process their thoughts and emotions without fear or resistance.
Try It Out
To get started, try some of these simple yoga techniques and postures to help cope with anxiety:
Yoga is an ancient tradition that incorporates the body, mind and spirit into a practice that dates back over 5000 years. Today, yoga classes can be found everywhere, from local gyms to specialized yoga studios. Yoga is more accessible than ever, and with classes being taught for all levels of practitioners, it’s easy to find a way to practice yoga to fit your lifestyle and schedule.
Yoga has a multitude of benefits in many areas, but most notably, it has been found to greatly assist in helping people cope with their anxiety disorders and depression symptoms. Anxiety and depression have deeply detrimental effects on the mind and body. They increase chronic pain, muscle tension and blood pressure, lower the immune system response, contribute to insomnia and sap energy stores. But there are some simple yoga techniques that can be easily incorporated into a regular schedule that can combat all these symptoms.
Physical Benefits of yoga
The physical benefits to daily yoga practice are numerous. Yoga improves flexibility and strength. It decreases muscle tension, physically releasing stress from tight, anxious muscles. It gives immense strength to the core, helping to better protect the spine and keep the rest of the body better aligned. It decreases joint and arthritic stiffness, encouraging blood flow and circulation. It decreases heart rate and blood pressure, oxygenating the entire system and flushing out bad toxins. Poor posture is corrected and imbalances in muscle systems are alleviated. Yoga also delivers a boost of endorphins that help flush stress chemicals from the brain, leaving you feeling fresh, relaxed and happy.
Psychological Benefits of yoga
Yoga promotes mindfulness, an ancient Buddhist practice of meditation that incorporates an accepting and nonjudgmental attitude towards present circumstances. It encourages practitioners to reside in the moment they are in and to observe without judgment their passing thoughts and emotions. This is hugely beneficial to those trying to cope with an anxiety disorder using yoga. It focuses on relaxing deep breathing techniques, helping to reduce anxiety and increase attention on being present with what is happening for the practitioner at that time. Those suffering from anxiety and depression can find a safe and natural way to process their thoughts and emotions without fear or resistance.
Try It Out
To get started, try some of these simple yoga techniques and postures to help cope with anxiety:
- 10 minutes of mindfulness meditation. You can use a guided meditation track or sit/lie down in a comfortable position, eyes closed, to focus on the breath. Mindfulness places emphasis on observing the breath, so if you choose to practice on your own, simply find a quiet space and length of time to observe the breath non-judgmentally, witnessing the thoughts and emotions that arise during that time.
- 5 minutes of relaxed, diaphragmatic breathing. Diaphragmatic breathing, also called “belly breathing,” is a breathing technique that focuses the breath deep into the bottom of the belly. The shoulders and upper torso should remain unmoving but not stiff during this practice. Place a hand over the stomach and try to inflate your abdomen as if you were filling a balloon. Continue breathing from your belly in a slow, relaxed fashion. Just 5 minutes of this type of breathing before yoga practice helps to center the body and mind and release tension from the system.
- Try some yoga poses, such as: Eagle Pose, Child’s Pose, Corpse Pose, Half Moon Pose and Tree Pose. All these poses can be practiced easily and safely from the comfort of your home. Make sure to use a yoga or exercise mat with bare feet to minimize slipping and risk of possible injury. Each pose can be held for a minute or so, or as long as you feel is comfortable for you. For a bigger challenge, try a Sun Salutation. It is a series of poses flowing one into the next that increases circulation and flexibility. It is easy to learn and enjoyable to practice.
Comments