How Yoga Can Help Get Rid of Addictions

Yoga is slowly gaining recognition as an effective way of weaning a person from substance abuse. Yoga combines meditation and exercises which have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It has been shown to reduce withdrawal symptoms, chances of relapse, and drug craving in recovering addicts. A leading practitioner of Yoga, Chamunda Swami Ji has been for long advocating the use of yoga as a healthy outlet to cope with daily life stressors and triggers.

Reduces Mood Swings Most of the times, negative moods and the desire to avoid these feelings can cause a relapse. Yoga has been shown to improve the mood of people going through recovery. Studies have found that those who practice a special set of breathing exercise called Sudharshana Kriya Yoga have significantly less depressive symptoms and lower stress hormones, and were able to complete an entire week of detox from alcohol dependence.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety It is a well-known fact that yoga reduces stress and anxiety, which are triggers for substance abuse. By allowing you to be more mindful of your surroundings and of stressful situations, you are able to control your emotions and decrease the pressure you might be putting on yourself.

Helps Develop More Control over the Brain Meditation, which is a form of yoga, aids in the development of the prefrontal cortex. That’s the part of the brain that is responsible for our choices and is the area that is most affected by alcohol and drug addiction. Meditation helps gain control over your emotions. There might be times where you may lose control over them, but with meditation, you can be sure that they can always be brought under control.

Helps in Insomnia Many use alcohol and drugs as sedatives. With anxieties of daily life heavy on their minds, they are unable to sleep, forcing them to resort to alcohol and drugs. But yoga, with its mediation and breathing exercises, relaxes the muscles in your body and allows you to sleep better.

There are other benefits that yoga offers for those who are trying to get over their addiction of alcohol or drugs. Through its exercises, it provides an outlet for the pent up energy in your body. It also makes you happier and healthier. If you are looking for a spiritual teacher to guide you, there is no one better than Chamunda Swami Ji, who has been using Yoga for spiritual healing for a long time now.