Mental illness in teenagers can include a range of conditions like depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. These conditions can impact mood, thinking, and behavior, often emerging during the challenging transition from childhood to adulthood.
Yoga Poses:
Child’s Pose, Tree Pose, and Warrior II can help in reducing anxiety and improving mood by fostering relaxation and confidence.
Child’s Pose (Balasana)
A person in a calming, forward fold position, resting their forehead on the ground with arms extended forward or by their sides.
Benefits – This pose is a grounding, resting position that helps soothe the nervous system and promotes a sense of safety and comfort. As you fold forward, it allows for introspection and calming of the mind, which can relieve stress and anxiety. Child’s Pose gently stretches the back and hips, making it a great pose to relax the physical tension that often accompanies anxiety.
Tree Pose (Vrikshasana)
An individual balancing on one foot, with the other foot placed on the inside thigh of the standing leg, hands in prayer position at the heart center or raised above the head.
Benefits – Tree Pose is a balancing act that requires focus and concentration, taking the mind away from anxiety-inducing thoughts. The act of balancing on one leg helps improve physical and mental steadiness and resilience. This pose is also effective in boosting confidence as it helps you feel more grounded and centered. It strengthens the legs, improves proprioception (the sense of body position), and promotes a calm, focused mind.
Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)
A person with legs wide apart, one leg bent at the knee and the other leg extended, arms open wide parallel to the ground, gazing over the front hand.
Benefits – This is a powerful standing pose that enhances stamina, concentration, and balance. Warrior II is particularly beneficial for building confidence and courage, helping to combat feelings of helplessness or defeat, which are common in anxiety. The pose also opens the hips and chest, improving circulation and energizing the body, which can be uplifting if you’re feeling down.
Diet:
A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like in fish and flaxseeds) and magnesium (found in nuts and leafy greens) can support brain health and mood regulation.
