Overcoming unhappiness and depression. Is Yoga overlooked as a potential cure for these problems?
Yoga and the deeper aspects of yoga practices seem to be quite effective in correcting the problems that people have with low self esteem, anxiety and depression. I am curious to know why these life supporting practices are generally ignored, while taking powerful medications are encouraged (which in many instances only mask the problem, and have negative side effects as well).
Perhaps people don’t know about it??? Or perhaps they don’t want to take the time to do things like this???
I’m curious to know what you think. Why is it that a good natural cure is not even considered by those who have these very serious problems?
AND HERE IS MY QUESTION: Should I even bother suggesting this kind of thing to people who speak of these problems on this Yahoo Question Forum? Or am I wasting my time doing so?
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I have read several articles that claim yoga and exercise are good for depression and anxiety. I suppose the benefits of yoga would depend on how deeply depressed you are.
I’ve recently admitted to myself I have a mild form of depression and high anxiety and started therapy. I’ve been told the standard “eat right and exercise” as some ways to cope. I never thought of yoga and I think it’s a great suggestion. Never done it before, but I want to keep an open mind to ideas of how to deal with everything, but I refuse to be medicated into happiness. Thank you!
You know what up until a few weeks ago I would not have considered it, but I am very fortunate to have a very good therapist who believes in the power of meditation and yoga as an excellent aid to recovery and treatment of Bipolar and all related mental health issues.
He even did me some tapes to listen to and to meditate on. They are fantastic. I tried it today for the first time.
We touched on yoga today but I felt like I wasn’t quite built for it, but that doesn’t mean I am going to dismiss it. I think I may just give it a try in a beginners class.
I think we are all to quick these days to start ramming the pills down our throat, without considering alternative help. These don’t have to be separate issues I am taking depakote along with the meditation and hopefully the yoga. I think the meds can control so much but the inner healing has to be done from within the mind and within ones self because the quality of your thinking determines the quality of your life.
Many people say they don’t have the time to improve their life this is like saying you don’t have time to stop for fuel/gas because you are to busy driving. It catches up with you in the end.
Wasting your time? Probably. Most people are so brainwashed by conventional medical doctors and the big pharmaceuticals that trying to offer them alternatives could be considered a waste of time unless…. they become desperate, like I was. Nothing was working. The antidepressants were useless, the doctors were useless, drinking became a problem which made everything worse. Needless to say, I was hospitalized after a suicide attempt and became really desperate. While in alcohol rehab, I tried yoga but didn’t like it. Maybe it wasn’t being taught properly. The teacher was gorgeous… maybe that was a distraction.
What got me out of depression was hard work. Healthy diet, plenty of daily exercise and leisure activities. But, above all, it was a diligent application of Dr. David Burns’ mood therapy (cognitive therapy). A concerted effort applying all of the above was what did the trick.
One day, I thanked God for all of my blessings and humbly asked what could I do to show my thanks. I heard a soft, but distinct voice say, “Go and help others”. Since then, I’ve built a helpful website, participated in many forums, and answered many depression questions right here in Yahoo! Answers. Do I get frustrated when people ignore me? Sometimes. Do I continue to try to help? Yes… wouldn’t you if God told you to go and help people?
I don’t know what motivates you, but keep up the good work. If you can reach just one person (I’ve reached two in two years), then you’ve accomplished a great deal.
I see no reason why yoga couldn’t be incorporated into a healthy regimen including diet and mood therapy… if properly taught by someone besides the yoga teacher I had.
This is just my opinion: If a person really has depression and really has an imbalance chemically you can do yoga til the cows come home and it won’t help. Not all doctors prescribe as you say high powered medications. However in some cases after really knowing someones history with this disease, medications are the only source of help. But, if a person does take medication for depression and anxiety, that is not the cure in itself. Other work needs to be done to overcome other aspects of personality defects etc. Like, exercise, spiritual housecleaning, telling the truth in all phases of life, and standing tall. People who really have real sure enough depression are not bad people, they are just people who need help. Others who have never experienced what it is like to be stuck for years in a deep whole with what seems not way out will never understand this malady.
I don’t know about yoga, but I do mediate to help overcome my clinical depression. It helps, but certainly doesn’t cure it. I also take anti-depressants and I’d much rather meditate any day than take meds that only mask the symptoms–but do make me feel better.
No, You are not wasting Your time in suggesting yoga and/or meditation. I’m sure there are tons of people who don’t know how to do either or how much help they could be in helping to ease their depression.
Keep up the good work!
Hi there.
I’m a yoga teacher and have also worked in and been a consumer of social services, and I have met so many people who have found yoga and meditation to be transformative in recovering from depression. You are right that it can be an enormously powerful tool and is definitely worth suggesting to people dealing with depression and other mood probs. I’m sure you already know that it can increase strenth and flexibility, fortify the spirit and body, lessen and change negative thinking, relieve stress, soothe and tone the nervous system, release endorphins, and so much more. People in the east have used yoga and meditation for hundreds of years to manage things like unhappiness and depression, right?!
Like you wisely metioned, yoga can remedy self-esteem issues, control anxiety, and bolster a depressed mood. That being said, I think the type of depression involved is important to consider when trying to determine the extent that yoga can help. Serious clinical depression can often be helped by such things, but ultimately might only take the edge off or lessen mood issues to a certain degree before medication and therapy is needed. Especially with those who have dealt with depression for a long time. But even with meds, yoga can be very empowering and instill a sense of confidence and give a sense of control to those who have been robbed of those things by depression.
I think suggesting yoga is great, as long as it’s suggested as one potential tool of many and not made to seem like it’s a cure-all (though it might be for some). Considering it a complement to other alternative tools, as well as to meds and other treatment, might be the most helpful thing though.
Just FYI, here are two great books on yoga that could be very helpful with this topic:
Yoga for Depression, by Amy Weintraub
Yoga and the Quest for the True Self, by Stephen Cope
*High five* for looking at the bigger picture and suggesting “alternative” ways of healing from mental health issues. I’m sure there lots of people who will benefit from your suggestions!
Take good care!
yes it is overlooked as a cure and yes you should continue suggesting this kind of thing….as the mind stores info and down the line one person may remember your suggestion and act upon it. I have often thought of taking a class in yoga and will one day soon. Funny how people put off doing things that benefit themselves