One can say that depression is both biological and mental Black Death of modern humanity in terms of prevalence and negative impact on global health. Scientists say that “it is the predominant mental health problem, followed by anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder – as well as being the 10th leading cause of early death” (Yoga for depression, 2021, para. 2). Surprisingly, yoga, a non-pharmacological practice, can effectively treat this psychobiological disease in one.
The first discovery for me was that the physical exercises that go into yoga could affect the brain of a person dealing with depression. Through specific muscle movement and special breathing, one with a depressive mental state can positively influence the parts of the brain and its chemical processes (Yoga for depression, 2021). Although a person will not get rid of this severe mental disease by exercising only yoga, its healing influence is still enough to remove and suppress almost all of its symptoms.
After some thought, another new revelation about yoga and depression opened up to me. It is about how yoga exercises affect the internal source of depression, namely brain parts. It directly affects the amygdala and cortisol production, which maintain and worsen depression (Yoga for depression, 2021). One can say that conceptually this is the best medicine to battle depression and its adverse effects and consequences.
This short article has brought me another interesting and novel knowledge about the healing effect of yoga on the mental state of depressed individuals. It is that it can prevent, suppress, and stop suicidal tendencies and behavior in one (Yoga for depression, 2021). Even a 3-month intervention, which is very short in both exercise and sports, can steer the thought trajectory of the depressed individual in a positive direction.
Work Cited
“Yoga for Depression.” The Minded Institute.