Yoga and Mental Health

The overall psychological and emotional well-being of an individual is referred to as mental health and is about the social, physical, spiritual and emotional balance in life. Several aspects characterize mental health such as, our personal growth, sense of purpose, self-acceptance, and positive relationship with other people. Mental health is very highly influenced by environmental factors such as, family life, social life and life at the workplace. An individual’s general well-being is lowered by all negative experiences in these spheres of life.

1. Anxiety Disorders include abnormal anxiety, phobias, and panic disorders. They are known to come unpredictably and upset one’s normal everyday routine. Such disorders build up over a period of time.

2. Eating Disorders involve an obsession with food that eventually causes negative effects in an individual’s social life and daily functions. Eating disorders are the result of many different factors and range from genetics to media exposure.

3. Mood disorders are characterized by fears and as sense of hopelessness, sudden revolutions in eating pattern, disturbed sleep, chronic fatigue, and even thoughts of untimely death suicide and. 2 major types of mood disorders are:

• Depression: This is a state of intense dejection or sorrow and affects a person’s social functioning as well.
• Bipolar Disorder: This is a mood disorder in which a the individual alternates between states of depression and mania.

Normally, these symptoms or states are temporary and last for around 2 – 3 weeks. You should see a doctor if the symptoms last longer.

4. Organic Brain Disorders are the result from physical brain injury or brain damage. These can be either due to accidents or illnesses like fevers. Oftentimes, persons suffering form organic brain disorders exhibit confusion and memory loss.

5. Personality Disorders are marked by abnormal and destructive thoughts, behavior, and emotional responses. Persons suffering from such disorders normally tend to struggle in their dealings with people. This is mainly because of the rigidity or narrow-mindedness it produces.

6. Schizophrenia is characterized by impairment to an individual’s perception of reality. Such a person usually shows muddled thinking and generally experiences hallucinations. This is considered as the most serious of all mental disorders.

Yoga for mental health

Yoga is best known for its poses (asanas) that reach deep into a person’s body, massaging vital internal organs and glands. They help cleanse and maintain the nervous and circulatory systems that bring about a healthier state of mind and body. Breathing exercises (pranayama) also help very much in keeping people mentally healthy. This is through the increased amount of oxygen supplied to the brain, the muscles and internal organs.

Then again, Yoga alone not ought to be treated as the only remedy for mental disorders. If there are any of the symptoms mentioned above, the assistance a professional – doctor psychologist or psychiatrist – must be sought. Yoga only helps facilitate the recovery from some dangerous side effects of these mental disorders. Then again, all Yoga practices must be accompanied by psychiatric treatment and counseling.