Yoga for Anxiety and Depression

Do you ever have a feeling of depression or anxiety? It turns out, too much work from either school or the office can be a common cause. To counter this, some people look at medicine to help control these feelings. There are a lot of ways to battle feelings of depression or anxiety, but one of the best ways is to deal with it naturally via yoga.

Recently yoga has become increasingly popular because it has been shown to help relieve stress and anxiety. Over time it can reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, and ease respiration. The reduced impact of exaggerated stress responses can prove to be helpful for both anxiety and depression.

A study made by the University of Utah analyzed the pain response of participants who are stressed versus participants who do yoga. The results of the study showed that participants who did yoga were less sensitive to pain than the participants who did not do yoga. Having a lower threshold for pain can regulate stress, reducing anxiety and depression in stressful situations.

There are many different forms of yoga, so it can be hard to decide on what to do if you are just starting out. Yoga can range from gentle and comforting to more strenuous and challenging. It really depends on athleticism and personal preference. Hatha Yoga is the most common type of yoga practiced in America. This is because it combines three elements: physical poses, controlled breathing, and meditation. This combination has a very positive effect on participants because it relaxes the brain and resets both the mind and body.

Unfortunately, yoga is not a solution for everyone because it involves some physical activity. Patients who are elderly or have mobility problems may want to consult their doctor before practicing yoga.

Yoga is a medicine-free solution for people who have feelings of anxiety and depression. Evidence shows that yoga is a low-risk, high-yielding reward to your body’s overall health. If your feelings of anxiety and depression persist it is best to consult with your doctor to see what solutions are best for you.

For more information on how yoga can counteract anxiety and depression, click here.

Article written by William Graves.