Restorative Winter Yoga to Fight Depression
Are you feeling SAD, down and depressed this winter season?
Winter depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) makes you feel dull, moody, and withdrawn. Although unheard of in India until some years ago it’s now becoming common amongst urbane populous.
Although not life threating but caution is to be exercised, and in serious cases, medication, psychotherapy, light therapy and exercise is recommended to allay the symptoms.
Common symptoms of winter depression or SAD includes
- Feeling sad and depressed nearly every day once winter season sets in
- Losing interest in daily activities
- Low energy levels and feeling sluggish
- Problems with sleep patterns or insomnia
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Concentrations levels affect while doing tasks
- Social withdrawal
- Irritability and moodiness
Recommended Yoga tips and asanas and pranayamas for SAD
Yoga is a way of life and it can help fight seasonal depression. It can help prevent and allay the seasonal depression symptoms.
Learning Nishpanda Bhava taught at The Yoga Institute helps. It helps to connect mind, body and spirit by being a witness to your feelings and not getting affected; it is a big part of yoga experience.
A daily walk for 20 minutes is a must and increase the intake of Vitamin D through diet include oranges, figs, black eye beans, white beans, etc. in your daily meals.
Asanas and Pranayamas are recommended practices for SAD. Avoid meditation. Energising yogic breathing techniques can help to improve the energy levels.
Asana
- Surya Namaskar
- Bhujangasana
- Talasana
- Yastikasana
Pranayamas
- Bhastrika
- Anulom Vilom
- Surya bhedana