(Brought to you by Dr. Deborah Simmons)
We have been teaching a lot lately about the Six Dimensions of Holistic Treatment for Depression (Relational, Biological, Energetic, Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual).  I thought you might be interested in this article from the January/February 2011 issue of AARP:  The Magazine, entitled “Do Yoga, Be Happy”.    Dr. Chris Streeter’s conclusion?  Yoga has an effect on brain chemistry similar to that of antidepressants.  It beats walking, too.

DO YOGA, BE HAPPY
As a mood booster, yoga beats walking
By Holly St. Lifer

Feeling blue?  Try a downward-facing-dog pose.  A new study from Boston University School of Medicine found that yoga boosted mood more effectively than walking.  Doing an hour of yoga three times a week for 12 weeks increased GABA levels by 13 percent, as measured in the study’s healthy participants right after a session.  GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain, is lower in people who are depressed; levels rise with the use of meds.  The walkers showed no significant increase in GABA levels.  “This is the first study to find a behavioral intervention—yoga, in this case—that has an effect on brain chemistry similar to that of antidepressants,” says study author Chris Streeter, MD.  

One of the most exciting areas in modern medical science involves our deepening understanding of the relationship between brain functioning and our day-to-day functioning. Each month seems to bring new discoveries about how our physical and emotional health can be improved by increasing the health of the brain. Learning to regulate our emotional and physical arousal levels through brain regulation training can make a huge difference in our physical and emotional health. Healing Rhythms is a very pleasant personal biofeedback training program that can teach you to regulate your emotional and physical arousal levels. Healing Rhythms gently trains you to reduce your stress levels, improve your emotional resilience, and to keep your mind clear of distracting thoughts. Check out Healing Rhythms and discover how you can put yourself on the path to improved mental and emotional health.

Authored by Harriet Kohen, MSW, LICSW

Whimsically illustrated, Kerry Lee MacLean teaches piggy children step by step how to meditate to master their stress and distress instead of hurrying all the time. This is a wonderful book for families to read together to learn the benefits of taking time daily for emotional well being. It teaches the value of self calming, acceptance, fearlessness, the value of silence, lovingkindness and the power of the imagination. Taking time rather than reacting is something all of us could benefit from.