Anxiety related issues are the most common mental health complaint in the United States. About 18% of Adults and 25% of children are affected according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In addition, the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD among veterans is increasing, with estimates as high as 20%.
Yoga and mindfulness work as an adjunct to counseling and psycho-pharmacological treatments. The deep breathing with longer exhalations helps slow heart rate and respiration thereby calming anxiety. Most people will benefit from attending a Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga or meditation and mindfulness class.
Yoga practices directly affect the symptoms of anxiety and provide coping skills to decrease their negative impact on quality of life. Present-focused breathing and mindfulness techniques may reduce worry and anxiety and decrease fears involving people and events out of an individual’s control. A number of studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of yoga and mindfulness meditation practice on the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, the part that controls blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and muscle tension.
The role of yoga and mindfulness in mental health treatment is gaining increased attention. The VA system has increased its funding of these programs and the first study was performed to determine the efficacy. Yoga engages the relaxation response which is fundamental to someone suffering from any form of anxiety. Dr. Herbert Benson has been a pioneer in studying the physiological changes during meditation techniques since 1968 as a professor at Harvard helping them become acceptable topics of study.
Exceptional Wellness offers guided mindfulness meditation sessions at our office by appointment. We also offer individual sessions that include yoga, mindfulness, breathing techniques and progressive relaxation. We teach the individual to monitor their anxiety levels and provide real-world techniques as solutions.