If you've always suspected that your mental tension recedes after a day (or even an hour) spent doing Dahn Yoga and meditation, you may be right on the money. According to research published in the International Journal of Yoga, the mind-body system can be used as a complementary treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Scientists have previously demonstrated that the practice of yoga and meditation benefits patients with depression or anxiety, but this is one of the first studies to specifically address the potential uses of holistic healing for GAD.
What is GAD? Simply put, it's the inability to stop worrying about everyday problems. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes that these aren't your average fretting fits, since GAD patients are typically diagnosed after at least six straight months of constant anxiety.
The condition is no small problem in the U.S. According to the NIMH, nearly 6 percent of Americans suffer from GAD in a lifetime.
In the new study, researchers found that GAD patients tended to respond favorably to weekly yoga sessions, often displaying fewer physical symptoms of anxiety or even going into temporary remission.
It makes sense. After all, the National Library of Medicine notes that people with GAD can treat anxiety attacks by learning physical methods for relaxing and managing stress.
