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How can yoga help with panic attacks and anxiety?

Over the past few years, society has grasped a love for yoga. It has grown to become very popular because of the fulfilling benefits it provides. It can provide physical benefits, such as improved flexibility and strength, and is a valuable tool for managing anxiety and panic attacks. In this blog, we will explore the physiological and physical benefits of yoga and how it can be very beneficial to cope with anxiety and panic attacks.

Stress Reducer

Many researchers believe that Yoga has been viewed as a beneficial tool to reduce stress and anxiety. There has been research to back up the fact that yoga possesses many physiological benefits. According to an article in the Alternative Medicine Review, yoga can reduce the body’s stress hormone: cortisol. This allows a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. It allows the mind to calm down and relax, which can help to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as trembling and sweating.

Aids in Breathing

Furthermore, yoga helps improve sleep and reduce the fatigue and stress that originate from anxiety. Additionally, practicing yoga can help improve breathing- which can be an imperative skill to inherit for those suffering from panic attacks. These benefits exemplify yoga's influence in helping reduce anxiety and panic attacks.

Meditation

Moreover, yoga implements meditation into its’ practices, and allows individuals to feel a sense of complete consciousness. A case study in the Alternative Medicine Review, conducted by Kabat-Zinn and colleagues, was able to determine the direct correlation between panic attacks and anxiety as a result of meditation. 20 subjects who experienced anxiety and frequent panic attacks were experiencing a significantly less amount of panic attacks as well as the paired anxiety once meditating. Being in control of your mind and living in the moment, is how you get your power back. If any method that is healthy and makes you truly feel good, like meditation might, definitely try it.

Conclusion

Thus, yoga has many physiological and physical benefits, inevitably presenting various methods to reduce panic attacks and anxiety levels. Incorporating yoga into your life may be a great way to get exercise and decrease the severity of stress levels and panic attacks.


Resources



Li, A. W., & Goldsmith, C.-A. W. (2012). The Effects of Yoga on Anxiety and Stress. Alternative Medicine Review, 17(1), 21–35.




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