The present situation of the world has definitely taken a toll on our physical as well as mental health. We are no longer being able to visit the gym or nearby parks for our daily workout sessions. Also, being locked up at our homes for days can be quite stressful. The fear and anxiety that are prevailing all around us because of the coronavirus crisis have become the root cause of depression in many people. So, how exactly are you going to cope with this stress? Well, the best way to keep yourself mentally and physically healthy is by practicing yoga.
How does yoga help to fight against depression?
Various studies have revealed that there is a strong relationship between depression and yoga. Yoga involves two major elements which are meditation and physical exercise. Both of these elements are extremely useful in reducing depression. It helps to strengthen the connection between our bodies and our mind. Here we have mentioned a few ways by which yoga can help to reduce depression in human beings:
Yoga can make you feel relaxed
The hormone serotonin plays a crucial role in reducing the effects of depression. This hormone directly impacts the nervous system of our body and helps to make you feel relaxed. Lower levels of serotonin hormone can be a major cause of depression.
It has been clinically proven that yoga helps to increase the level of serotonin hormone in our body. This will make you a lot happier than before and your feeling of depression will gradually start to vanish. Yoga will also make you calm. Your concentration level will gradually start to increase. You will become more organized and your life will get a lot better.
Yoga can help to reduce conditions of stress
Yoga can normalize your heartbeat. It does so by reducing the level of cortisol hormone in the blood. The cortisol hormone is mainly responsible for generating stress. It also generates a sense of panic in the mind of individuals.
A lot of research has proved that yoga plays a major role in stress management. It can lower your blood pressure level and improve your breathing rate. With regular yoga practice, you will realize that you are able to handle stressful conditions more comfortably. Your muscular strength will also increase.
Few easy yoga poses to reduce depression
Upward-Facing Dog Pose or Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
This pose can rejuvenate your body and cure depression. You will have to lie on the floor with your face and legs facing downwards. Your palms should be near your chest, facing downwards. Then lift your torso and stretch your legs and arms. Your head should be kept straight, facing upwards and your legs should be pressed firmly to the ground.
Standing Forward Fold Pose or Uttanasana
This yoga is also quite simple and helps to get rid of tension. You will have to stand straight and keep your arms stretched along either side of your body. After that, you need to bend forward. Grab your knees from behind with your arms and touch your thighs with your head.
Bridge Pose or Sethu Bandhasana
The Bridge Pose can strengthen the muscles of your body and also give you relief from stress, anxiety, and tension. It also enables proper blood circulation. You will have to lie flat on the floor and keep your hands by your sides. Fold your legs and lift them to the knees. Now lift your back off the floor and stay in that position for a few seconds before getting back to the original position.
So, we can see that regular yoga practice will help you to get rid of depression. You will have greater control over your mind and body. Your body will get better at adapting itself to difficult situations. Your view on life will also change and you will become a better version of yourself.
