To begin, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness have origins and traditions that can be dated back centuries. Now, we have advanced forms of science and research facilities. We are starting to see a growing number of scientific research that supports the benefits of yoga and meditation. Yoga therapy can provide inner calm and balance in mind, body, and spirit. At Wisdom Within Counseling, yoga therapy is a speciality that helps bring inner peace. And, it is unique and different, beyond traditional DBT or CBT talk counseling.
The scientific research validates the efficiency and benefits associated with using the meditative and yogic practice for medical conditions like anxiety, depression, mental health, and stress management.
On a personal level, I can attest to the benefits of using yoga and meditation as a way to combat anxiety and depression. After helping a family member get through the process of negotiating a pain and suffering claim after an accident, I participated in yoga classes as a form of support for them through the process.
To begin, click the pink button below to start with a free phone consultation for self-confidence, self-worth, and healthy relationships. Holistic yoga therapy is easily available to any worldwide location over video or in person.
Yoga therapy may help anxiety and depression treatment
While attending the classes, I ended up getting the help I needed for my own conditions. And, my introduction to yoga and meditation was not with the intention of treating my depression and anxiety. But, by accident, I discovered that one of my favorite ways to treat anxiety is with yoga and meditation.
Now, I am someone that strives to be the best I can and to be present in everyday moments as much as I can on a daily basis. Moreover, meditation allows me to stay present in all moments, even bad ones. Therefore, this helps minimize stress and anxiety about the future and any “what ifs” that try to creep into my thoughts.
As Jon Kabat-Zinn explained, “The real meditation practice is how we live our lives from moment to moment to moment.”
Here are the benefits of living in the moment with the help of mindfulness meditation and yoga.
Yoga and Meditation Helps Reduce Stress and Anxiety
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People commonly try yoga and yoga therapy as a way to reduce stress.
As a person deals with mental and physical stress, their body creates an abundance of a stress hormone called, cortisol. And, these hormones release inflammation-promoting chemicals called cytokines.
These effects and hormones make it difficult to sleep and can aid in the promotion of depression and anxiety. And, these hormones can even lead to high blood pressure and consistent fatigue. So, during high-stress situations different parts of your body may ache. To add, this is why you have a hard time managing depression and anxiety. When in stress, your doctors inform you your blood pressure has increased. Overall, yoga and meditation relax the mind and comfort the body which results in diminished stress.
Also, those who regularly practice yoga and meditation often sleep better. People who regularly practice yoga also have more energy, and feel good all throughout their body. Partly, this is because the inflammation-promoting chemicals are not stimulating negative effects.
To begin, click the pink button below to start with a free phone consult for confidence, self-value, and nurturing relationships through yoga therapy over video or in person.
You Have More Control over Anxiety and Depression
Less stress equates to less anxiety, but sometimes anxiety and depression are not a result of stress. People experience anxiety and depression for various reasons. They can have a genetic predisposition towards them, there can be physical and social factors associated with it, and at times, it can be a result of someone experiencing a traumatic event.
Yoga does not diminish the presence of anxiety and depression. Instead, yoga offers positive tools to cope with intense feelings in healthy ways.
To note, yoga just reduces the symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders. Also, yoga helps give people inner peace over mental conflict. Therefore, Wisdom Within Counseling offers holistic, creative therapies to help anxiety and depression for life. Yoga therapy helps people manage the symptoms of anxiety and depression. For instance, these may include phobias, social anxiety, paranoid thoughts, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. So, by practicing yoga and meditation, and seeking counseling, you can feel confident and strong.
Meditation may also help an employee control job-related anxiety from working in environments that are high pressure. Mediation allows them to refocus and center their mind so that they can get through the workday without breaking down.
For children that battle ADHD, you can introduce yoga as a treatment to them. It can be a bonding activity between you and them and it can help relieve the fear of other medical treatments that kids tend to have.
Enhance Your Self-Awareness with Yoga
With the noise of the world and working in high-pressure environments constantly surrounding us, it can be difficult to tune into your true thoughts long enough to really listen and understand yourself and your body.
Meditation teaches you how to tune out any outside distractions and noises so you can build a stronger connection to yourself.
Now, the connection allows you to understand yourself better. Thus, helping you transform into the best version of yourself. Now, there are many forms of meditation. Often, meditation is also known as self-inquiry. Overall, meditation and yoga therapy specifically helps you grow a stronger understanding of your past influences. From a reflective state, you can calmly deal with irrational people, and compassionately respond to individuals around you.
You can also find other forms of meditation that help you develop a greater understanding of yourself. All you have to do is ask a professional to guide you. For instance, at Wisdom Within Counseling in Southeastern Connecticut, yoga therapy is a speciality for PTSD and trauma.
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Meditation Helps You Grow Emotionally Healthy
As certain forms of meditation can lead to a greater understanding of yourself, that understanding can then lead to a greater appreciation of yourself. That connection to yourself allows you to have an improved image of yourself, and it encourages you to look at life through a positive lens.
Yoga Therapy Supports A Healthy Family and Marriage
Through meditation, you can discover that you have flaws that you did not previously know or care about. From self-awareness, yoga therapy can help your family come together after trauma. For couples, yoga therapy can provide healthy communication and bonding. Sometimes, yoga therapy is exactly the time together couples need. Plus, yoga therapy allows couples to set aside time away from children and work to emotionally connect. Often, family conflict may need a combination of talking and yoga therapy to heal. Therefore, you can discover yourself and grow to understand why you are the way you are. From, yoga therapy, then you can use meditation to reach your goals for a vibrant, radiant life.
You can zone your mind and focus on positive changes in your life so eventually, you can grow to love yourself.
Loving yourself and being kind yourself promotes emotional health. Through the processes of growing and learning more about yourself, you are healing. You are pinpointing traumatic moments in your brain and mending the scars. This makes meditation a good way to manage depression because sometimes trauma is the onset of depressive episodes.
Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga
There are many benefits of yoga and meditation. Both yoga and meditation are centered around a person focusing on their mind and body. You can extend your attention span, reduce age-related memory loss, and even learn to be more kind through yoga and meditation.
If you are able to learn how to tune out distractions and outside noise just enough to listen to your body, you can decipher what it is that you need exactly. Having a greater understanding of the human body creates a sense of gentleness and compassion for your body and others.
Imani Francies writes and researches for the car insurance comparison site, CarInsurance.org. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media and specializes in various forms of media marketing.
Holistic marriage and family therapy at Wisdom Within Counseling
The team of therapists at Wisdom Within Counseling in Connecticut specialize in yoga therapy and holistic therapies. In addition to traditional talk counseling, art, yoga, music, and outdoor walk and talk therapies are available. Overall, holistic therapies offer positive coping tools for nurturing relationships. Sometimes, intense feelings like anger, betrayal, jealousy, and sadness can feel overwhelming. In therapy, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness skills support self-love. And, yoga therapy and art therapies give children and adults alike healthy outlets for stress. Plus, our team of marriage and family therapists offer counseling online to residents of Florida and Connecticut. Now, telehealth and video sessions are always available.
