Alleviate Anxiety: When anxiety is present, most people attempt to evade it. Others struggle with it, often leading to medication as a treatment option with hopes that the powerful grip it has on their lives will be released. I was one of them.
I was diagnosed with an anxiety and panic disorder a few years ago and was immediately placed on medication. The next two and half years of my life were plagued by pills, alcohol and addiction. I developed a severe dependence to the medication, leading to the accidental overdose that ultimately forced me to find an alternative.
After years of trial and error, I found solace in what has now become my trinity of wellness — yoga, meditation and juicing. I found a release from the painful grip that anxiety had over me. Nonetheless, I still have anxious moments and my diagnosis still stands. However, my anxiety is managed and controlled to a point where it is no longer a prevalent issue for me.
It’s also good to know that yoga alone should not be considered as the only treatment option. It should complement proper medication after consultation with a doctor or specialist. The doctor would guide you on the condition better and help you understand the type of anxiety disorder you may have – Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, or Generalized Anxiety Disorder, to name a few.
Yoga Poses for Help Alleviate Anxiety
These yoga postures can help achieve a happy and healthy mind and body. Asanas help release tension and negativity from the system.
- Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) –
This pose begins by lying on the floor, face down. Bend your legs toward your head by bending them from your knees. Arch your back and try to keep your legs in place with your hands. Dhanurasana is great for your anxiety specifically as it is really effective in relieving headaches, stress and even diabetes. It is also an excellent physical exercise. - Matsyasana (Fish Pose) –
This pose also allows you to de-stress and detoxify with ease, therefore improving your overall health and happiness. Matsyasana is scientifically proven to be effective and will calm your nervous system, allowing you to be mentally clear while providing a wave of relaxation. - Janu Shirsasana (One-Legged Forward Bend)
- Setubandhasana (Bridge Pose) –
Bridge Pose works exclusively on your spine and hip joints. It also helps relieve pain, stiffness and discomfort in these regions and helps resolve any disorders associated with the neck, arms and palms. This pose also helps keep your blood pressure under control, contributes to relaxing the mind, improves digestion, relieves the symptoms of menopause in women reduces respiratory problems.Relaxes whole body. Reduces stress. Calms the brain and reduces anxiety. - Marjariasana (Cat Stretch) –
- Practicing this asana also increases flexibility and stretching in our spine. By doing this asana, the body adopts a cat pose.
Through regular practice of this asana, our digestive system also improves.
Its practice massages the organs inside our stomach. This improves blood circulation, relaxes the mind. Sleep better and the insomnia problem disappears day by day.
- Paschimottanasana (Two-Legged Forward Bend)
- Hastapadasana (Standing Forward Bend)
- Adhomukha Shwanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
- Shirshasana (Headstand)
- Shavasana (Corpse Pose)- Shavasana is good for our brains. To do this asana, go to the quietest corner of the house and lie on your back on the yoga mat. Spread both legs and leave both relaxed in their respective direction. Spread both hands on the ground and keep the palms towards the ceiling. Do not pressure the palms or feet to keep them straight. Let them be open naturally. Do not put any kind of tension in your entire body. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing process. Try to breathe through your diaphragm. While breathing, count to five and then exhale slowly while counting to five. Repeat this process until you start feeling relaxed.
- Viparit Dandasana (Chair backbend)
- Sukhasana – Sukhasana is the simplest, but possibly the most important and effective on the list. All this pose requires you to do is breathe deeply with your hands together. This is an incredibly meditative experience and it allows us to improve our focus, our mental clarity, alleviate depressive symptoms and reduce stress and anxiety at the same time.
