Can Yoga Help People with Depression?

By Sangeetha Saran

Depression symptoms can range from mild to severe. You can take medications for depression, but they can have side effects, and, they do not always work. Studies have shown that yoga can help relieve depression, and keep depression from returning.

The Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Occasional depression is normal, a rainy day, a sad movie, or certain situations can cause someone to feel sad and depressed. Depression becomes a health issue when it starts to affect their daily activities and lasts for days on end. The signs of depression include the following symptoms:

•   Sad and depressed moods

•   Loss of interests in friends and work

•   A change in sleep patterns

•   Loss of energy and fatigue

•   A worthless feeling

•   Brain fog

•   Suicidal thoughts

Get Moving to Relieve Depression

When depressed, a person does not feel like moving let alone accomplishing anything in their daily lives. The best way to relieve depression symptoms is to make healthy lifestyle changes, and the first step is to get up and start moving again.

Yoga is the perfect lifestyle change that incorporates movement, quieting of the mind and a real sense of accomplishment. Considering that a person who is depressed does not even feel like moving, starting out with just three or four simple yoga poses each day can be of great help.

Studies Show Yoga Can Help People with Depression

When a person suffers from depression, their breathing can become shallow. Yoga teaches proper breathing, and learning to breathe the proper way can ease the symptoms of depression.

Studies conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience in India; found a 73 percent success rate in treating depression with yoga. This research focused on the yoga breathing technique known as pranayama.

Other studies found similar positive correlations between yoga and good mental health. A 2005 German study found that after taking yoga classes for 90 days, the participants reported a 50 percent improvement in depression scores, and a 65 percent increase in overall well-being. In addition, yoga was found to reduce stress, fatigue, and brain fog, consequently boosting mental and physical energy.

Yoga is not a cure for depression, but it is often recommended as an adjunct therapy. Many counselors and therapists are familiar with local teachers and studios. If you suffer from depression, you might consider taking yoga classes. Yoga is not hard to learn and with the help of a compassionate yoga instructor, you will be well on your way to getting rid of depression.

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