Yoga For Stress And Anxiety Relief

By Author: Shreyas Retreat
Total Articles: 14
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How to over come stress, anxiety and depression with help of Yoga

We all experience anxiety and depression sometime or the other in our lives. It is a normal helpful reaction to stress fully demanding situations and is one of the several emotions that we experience in our lives in response to situations. But problem arises when it occurs too often and lasts too long; as it can adversely affect the work and mental health. Excessive long standing anxiety could lead to persistent fear, excessive alertness or sleeplessness, palpitation, high blood pressure, breathlessness, sweating, restlessness, excess sugar levels in blood (Diabetes). Energy is drained out chronically resulting in both mental and physical exhaustion, tiredness, inefficiency at work, etc.

When the stress fully demanding situations go on increasing beyond one’s own capacity to cope, one starts losing control over the mind-body equilibrium resulting in gross imbalances in the chemistry of brain. Anxiety and depression show up as two faces of the same coin. The excited stimulated state manifesting as anxiety is mediated by excessive nor epinephrine ...
... and depression-“give up” response is due to deficiency of amine like serotonin.

Why Yoga for Anxiety? Yoga for Stress? Or even why Yoga for Depression?

In the present day life style, although the modern technology has protected us against most of the physical damages like injuries, infections, accidents, unexpected encounter by wild life etc; we are faced with many emotionally demanding situations in life. So in this day, anxiety is caused more by our mind than the environment. But trying to control the mind directly is almost impossible. This is where Yogis have provided with many techniques- tools to handle the mind.

Practices of Yoga, be it asanas, pranayama, chanting or meditation, are nothing but tools to handle the mind in the long run. Both Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga practices can reduce stress. All these initially distract the mind from the loop of repeating anxiety producing thoughts and later with dedicated practice, help us overcome anxiety producing thoughts and finally lead us to something deeper and more meaningful (Self Realization).

Although it is very difficult to explain satisfactorily with words how Yoga helps overcome anxiety, mentioned below are some of the scientific research proven effects of Yoga practices;
. Reduced perception of stress and anxiety leading to reducing heart rate, lowering blood pressure and easing respiration.
. There is also evidence that Yoga practices help increase heart rate variability, an indicator of the body’s ability to respond to stress more flexibly. Yoga helps control stress.
. High pain tolerance and low pain related activity during MRI.
. Improvements in perceived energy and well-being.
. Improvement of sleep quality.
Therefore, for many people dealing with anxiety or depression, Yoga may be a very appealing way to better manage symptoms. Indeed, scientific study of Yoga demonstrates that mental and physical health are not just closely allied, but are essentially equivalent. The evidence is growing that practice of Yoga is a relatively low-risk, high-yield approach to improving overall health.

Practices good for anxiety:

ASANAS: Ardha Kati Chakrasana, Pada Hastasana, Ardha Chakrasana, Bhujangasana, Salabhasana, Dhanurasana, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Shasahankasana, Vakrasana, Ustrasana, Shavasana.

PRANAYAMA: Deep abdominal breathing, Nadi Shodhana , Sitkari, Ujjayi, Bhramari.