Yoga against depression

By STAB1995 | How to get rid of pain | 5 Feb 2021

In my previous post "exercise against depression" I told you that exercise can play a role in reducing the symptoms of depression. Now I have done some literature research and it appears that yoga can also play a role in reducing symptoms in depression. I just wanted to pass this on.

What is Yoga?
Yoga includes advice for an ethical lifestyle, spiritual practice, physical activity, breathing exercises and meditation. In other words, yoga brings relaxation.

What is depression?
Depression is one of the more common and serious brain disorders. People with depression feel deeply and incessantly down and guilty. Pleasure is greatly reduced. Eating disorders and sleeping disorders can be added. And many interests can be diminished or completely gone. There is a risk of suicide in depression.

There can be several reasons for the development of depression. This can be genetic, but also malnutrition in the womb, neglect or abuse during early development. This increases the stress systems enormously and makes the stress systems work harder. Hormones can also play a big role. When something happens in the outside world that might make another person angry, this is where a person with depression may start to ''overreact''.

The studies described below show that yoga can play an additional role in the treatment of depression.

Questions, feedback or ideas for new posts? Message me.

Kind regards,

Sascha Bargi BSc. Pt. & MSc. Ost. in training.

References:
Li, Z., Liu, S., Wang, L., & Smith, L. (2019). Mind-Body Exercise for Anxiety and Depression in COPD Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1):22. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17010022.

Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Klose, P., Lange, S., Langhorst, J., & Dobos, G. (2017). Yoga for improving health-related quality of life, mental health and cancer-related symptoms in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 1(1): CD010802.

Klainin-Yobas, P., Oo, W.N., Yew, P.Y.S., Lau, Y. (2015). Effects of relaxation interventions on depression and anxiety among older adults: a systematic review. Aging and Mental Health, 19(12):1043-55. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2014.997191.

Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Langhorst, J., & Dobos, G. (2013). Yoga for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Depression and Anxiety, 30(11): 1068-83.