The present age is witnessing a life alteration schedule with long working hours and unending periods of stress hovering the minds of all. A few other things like emotionally disturbed relationships are even doing their rounds, posing a wide range of problems affecting most people both physically and mentally. One potential solution to these issues is yoga therapy.
Most of these problems lead to a disturbed mentality that affects them in the short as well as long run. Prolonged stress can be too overwhelming. It can soon escalate into more significant concerns like depressive episodes or family crises.
There has to be a solution for it, right? Fortunately, there is; that too, a simple and highly effective one. Yoga is one of the most highly recommended routine practices that help people with the most psychological problems.
Here are some scientific points that state the usefulness of yoga.
1- It alters the brain’s biochemistry
There’s a common saying in psychology, ‘Everything psychological is biological.’ Anything that takes place in the mind results in the imbalance of the brain’s biochemical, namely neurotransmitters. There are some physical changes taking place in the brain, like the shrinking of the amygdala, which is the danger-alarming unit of the brain.
Yoga requires a lot of concentration, either on one’s breathing or an external object. This helps in focusing on general activities and gives us the ability to shift our attention at will. This also reverses the brain’s biochemistry for good.
Also read: Things To Do When You Feel Low
2- It is one of the most efficacious therapies
For someone affected with a severe mental problem like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and so on, the general treatment includes taking medicines like antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and so forth.
One problem with these medicaments is that they work on the trial and error method. Therefore, the psychiatrist has to prescribe another medicine if one does not work. It may take some time for the psychiatrist to find the most suitable drug for the patient.
Psychological counselling can be a promising therapy too. However, it may take quite a few sessions, group therapy, family therapy, and so forth to bring out the good changes. Often, psychologists can’t figure out the root cause of the psychological problem. Yoga has good effects on the practitioner’s mind, and it shows effects in no time.
3- It does not have any side effects
Taking chemical-based medications like antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and so can have undesirable long-term consequences. Often, patients develop resistance to these drugs, and their dosages increase with time.
On the other hand, some patients may need a rather invasive treatment like the insertion of brain pacemakers or deep brain stimulation.
Even those who need a steady dose of medication may have side effects like seizures and convulsions. However, meditation in the form of yoga can be the best treatment for someone due to the absolutely no side effects from the practice. It involves no substance dependence and causes no withdrawal syndrome or so.
Also read: Ways the Meditating Brain Increases Your Overall Intellect
Conclusion:
Yoga is a useful and highly therapeutic practice for the fast paced life we live today. Take a break and practise the form to channelize the inner self in you.
Cover photo credit: leninscape