Today, we are talking about depression, anxiety, stress, mental health and everything hunting you or your loved ones. Though we know you are here to know how yoga can cure symptoms of depression. Trust us! You will be with an answer at the end of this article.
But first, let’s see what the most reputable foundation says about it.
According to Harvard mental health letter, yoga can reduce all negative effects of anxiety, depression, stress, anger, and more.
No wonder health experts spell yoga differently from other physical exercises, as yoga improves the complete body & mind.
How?
We will talk about that too, but first, let’s know some quick insights: the root cause of depression. However, after that, we will start stretching the poses, mindful activities, and breathing exercises.
The root cause of depression-
It said that chemical changes are the root cause of depression, but faulty mood regulation in the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems can also cause depression, including:
- Serotonin chemical gets low;
- Loss of loved ones or separation;
- Unmet psychological needs;
- Nutritional deficiency;
Besides the most known 9 factors of depression, 2 of them are biological, and 7 are the way of living. So, depression is nothing like a machine with broken parts but a human with unmet needs.
Symptoms of depression & anxiety (Initial Ones)-
- Tension
- Fear
- Irritability
- Excessive worry for daily day minor events
- Muscle tension
- Chest tightness
- Personal social & work issues
- Heart palpitations & high heart rate
Yoga for depression-
All those yoga asanas that activate or relax your brain muscles are the best yoga for depression. Including mountain pose, fish pose, shoulder stand, handstand, headstand and more that we will disclose further.
How yoga poses help?
The yoga asanas that eventually improve blood flow in the brain are the best yoga practices for depression. Also, we don’t deny that depression is not only about the brain, but many other factors affect it, so do yoga flourishes the complete body inside & out.
Here are the most effective 12 yoga poses to cure depression & anxiety:
- Mountain pose
- Handstand
- Headstand
- Halasana
- Head to knee pose
- Shoulder stand
- Scorpio pose
- Uttanasana
- Child pose
- Savasana
- Bridge pose
- Downward facing dog pose
Note: Aforementioned 12 yoga poses for depression are a good start in the way to prepare your body & help the secretion of dopamine. However, there are some more you have to add to your life to tackle depression.
Keep rolling to them!
How breathing exercises (Pranayama) help in depression?
Breathing exercises help increase lungs and oxygen flow in the body. Therefore, it is a healthy practice for the body to learn how to improve focus during anxiety attacks.
Here, some most effective ones:
- Humming bee breathing exercise (Bhramari Pranayama)
- Alternate nostrils breathing exercise (anulom-vilom)
- Kapalbhati
How does meditation help to ward off depression?
Meditation is one of the most effective practices to fight against depression. Hence, when you perform dhyana kriyas; they prepare your mind for such an anxious situation to help control your mind.
Surprising facts:
- Meditation is a brain exercise that lasts for a long.
- Weakens the neural connection in a good way and helps the brain cure scary & negative thoughts.
- Improves your sleep that makes you less sensitive to negative emotions.
- Mindful activities of meditation help to feel less pressurise even under pressure situations.
- Larger grey matters in mind that enhance emotional stability, positive emotions and more.
Diet for depression-
Everything that enriches in good fat and has mono & polyunsaturated fat is good for the brain.
List of food you should have for better results:
- Nuts- Walnuts, cashews, Almond, Peanut, Brazil nuts provide nutrition to your brain such as vitamin E.
- Vitamin D- Sun is the best source of vitamin D, so don’t forget to take proper sunbath (keep your back or bone marrow towards the sun).
- Fishes- Add fatty fishes to your diet (in a fixed amount) as they are a rich source of Omega-3.
- Seeds- Chia seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, other good fat-rich seeds that are good for brain function.
- Green vegetables- Green vegetables have iron, magnesium relief, brain cortisol hormone.
Note: Above foods are excellent for the brain equally in case of depression even a sick stomach & overloading can increase overthinking and depression symptoms, so we suggest you take proper diet guidance.
Other mindful activities to cure depression-
Endorphin hormone secretion is one of the most crucial parts to treat the mind and can help your depression. Furthermore, here are some other activities that are also important, including:
- Sleep more
- Spend time with friends and family
- Go outside & spend time with nature
- Help others
- Perform challenging task or exercise
- Practice smiling
- Plan a trip though you don’t go for it
How can Yogisbazaar help?
Well, we can’t help you with that trip planning, but all other factors come under our yoga & diet guidance services. Our at-home yoga trainers are yoga experts in treating such issues as depression, anxiety, and stress. All you have to do is contact us by following the link below.