How Yoga is Similar to Existing Mental Health Therapies

The ancient Eastern practice of yoga combines mindfulness training with exercise (hence the term, “mind-body”). For years, practitioners all over the world have reported receiving mental and physical health benefits from yoga. Only recently has yoga been subject to Western scientific evaluation, and so far, its effects are promising for a host of conditions from fibromyalgia to depression. Results of numerous studies found yoga offers some of the same therapeutic benefits, both physiological and psychological benefits, as other widely accepted mental health treatments. For example, regular yoga can regulate hormones in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (also known as the human stress response system) and enhance immune system functioning. Yoga can also reduce stress, anxiety, and depressed mood. Yoga is actually similar to several existing gold standard treatment approaches and especially complements treatments used for depression and anxiety. Yoga for Mood Depression often involves a lack of motivation and interest in physical activity. When depressed, a person may wait to participate in activities they once enjoyed until their depressed mood remits. Behavioral Activation (BA) is a common, longstanding evidence-based depression treatment. As an, “act before you feel” approach, its aim is to establish greater levels of activity in patients despite the mood they experience. By consciously deciding to resume normal levels of a...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Anxiety Depression General Happiness Healthy Living Motivation and Inspiration Psychotherapy Relaxation and Meditation Spirituality Stress Anxiety Disorder Bikram Exercise Fight-or-flight response Mind Body Mindfulness Mood Source Type: news