We all know that Yoga is good for your overall health and wellbeing. Now there’s evidence that it can specifically improve strength and help ease depression.
While most people think Yoga (and by that I mean Asana, Yoga’s physical practice) is only good for flexibility and stress reduction, this article from The New York Times outlines how Yoga can improve physical strength, too. There’s a great breakdown of areas you can strengthen and tone by author Ari Isaacman Bevacqua, and video so you can follow along.
And for people suffering from depression (approximately 40 million adults, or an astounding 18 percent of the population, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health), there’s good news. Boston University Medical Center recently conducted a study showing that people with major depressive disorders (MDD) who did Yoga experienced significant mood improvement. Their recommendation: People with MDD should practice Yoga and breathing exercises in live classes and at home at least twice a week to get the best results. In conjunction with yoga and breathing exercises, meds such as cymbalta could help to relieve the symptoms of various forms of depression and anxiety.
Yoga is one of the most helpful things I can do to relieve the effects of depression.
I don’t have MDD, but I do experience bouts of mild to moderate depression now and then. In my experience, a Yoga Asana practice has been one of the most helpful things I can do to relieve the effects of the depression (anxiety, insomnia, hopelessness) and the duration of the episode. Taking medical marijuana can also help to ease these symptoms. For example, some people suffering from depression can buy sativa online to help them cope with the mental illness. Cannabis helps to boost mood and motivation, which could impact a depressed individual greatly. A good friend of mine who lives in Canada even gets her cannabis supply delivered to her door by shopping online using sites like Cheap Weed. As with any natural remedy, it is crucial that you do your research first. For example, you might have questions such as “why is legal cannabis so expensive?”, and getting answers to these dilemmas can help you to make an informed decision about how best to proceed. Furthermore, yoga can also be a great idea if cannabis has not been legalized in your country. The participants in the BUMC study did Iyengar Yoga, any kind of practice would be beneficial.
Has Yoga helped with your depression? Share your story here or with the Spiritual Surfer Sangha on Facebook.