Most of us have heard in recent years how yoga can help reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and depression in our life. In recent decades, several medical and scientific studies on yoga proved it to be very useful in the treatment of some diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of yoga on stress, anxiety, and depression in women with a mean age of 33.5 ± 6.5 years after 12 yoga classes.
Before each participant started integrating Hatha yoga into their lives, they each completed the DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21) questionnaire to assess their current mental health. The women then participated in 3 Hatha yoga training sessions per week for 4 weeks. At the end of the 12th session, the questionnaire of DASS-21 was again completed by the participants. It was found that the difference between the mean scores of depression, anxiety, and stress before and after 12 sessions of regular Hatha yoga was statistically significant with an overall decrease in the participants depression, anxiety and stress.
This controlled study continues to show that yoga can be used as a complementary medicine to reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. Increased stress, depression and anxiety are unfortunately features of our modern lifestyles. Due to the adverse effects of drugs in the treatment of anxiety and depression, and in some cases their lack of effectiveness, researchers have been seeking nonpharmacological and non-invasive treatment for these disorders. Yoga exercises helped improve the variables of self-description, psychological status, and the quality of life. Research suggests that yoga as an intellectual and mental exercise, improves the feeling of health in individuals.
Furthermore, yoga can improve some of these psychological conditions for monitoring and managing stress and negative emotions, increase positive emotions, and help mental balance in individuals.
Due to the effective role yoga has on reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, practicing yoga will only help improve your mental health. Step onto you mat at one of our studios today to experience these benefits for yourself.
Study - NCBI.NLM.NIH.