October 19, 2020
Know the 4 Benefits that Yoga Can Give to Veterans Suffering from PTSD
Photo by Amin Sujan under Pexels License
Thousands of our veterans have experienced and are still experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health woes. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, former service members who have been deployed in conflict areas overseas are more likely to suffer from mental health conditions than others.
During the time of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) from 2003 to 2011 and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) from 2001 to 2014, about 11 to 20 percent of U.S. troops had PTSD in a given year. During the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991, 12 percent of every 100 U.S. troops also developed this mental health disorder. Older veterans from the Vietnam War (1955–1975) had it worse as studies showed that about 30 percent of them suffered from PTSD.
It was not just the exposure to conflict situations that triggered this condition among soldiers. The stress of their assignments, the politics of the war, and how it was fought also contributed to developing the mental health condition.
A host of treatment options are available to former servicemen and servicewomen suffering from PTSD. Among the most effective ways is simple relaxation.
Yoga has also been introduced as an option for affected veterans to relieve their stress.
The 4 Benefits of Yoga
Yoga offers many benefits that can help our former service members deal with anxiety and stress. Here are some of those benefits:
- Yoga helps the nervous system.
Because of the fight or flight reaction triggered by PTSD, sufferers always feel on the edge. Yoga helps them regulate their breathing to calm them down without the use of medication. It helps regulate the central nervous system to help it get back on track.
- It helps therapists observe PTSD patients’ responses.
Patients dealing with PTSD often find themselves easily frustrated at even the little things. Engaging in yoga activities and having them try out different poses help therapists gauge their patients’ responses in regulating anger and frustration should they encounter difficulties in the activities.
- It develops a sense of community.
Yoga provides veterans with the opportunity to be with other people involved in the session. Yoga provides a relaxing environment where they can let their guard down and simply be among peers.
- It enables them to re-experience their own bodies.
PTSD sufferers often find themselves disassociated from their own bodies after experiencing severe traumas. Yoga helps them to get back in touch with their bodies and respond to PTSD triggers such as flashbacks without violent or negative reactions. Through yoga, they can experience negative thoughts but with the knowledge that these will eventually come to pass since they are temporary.
What You Can Do to Help Veterans with PTSD
Soldiers get sent off to far-flung places to resolve conflicts, and they do so willingly for the love of duty and country. They are the main reasons we can all sleep soundly at night knowing danger is at bay.
However, peace comes at a cost, and unfortunately for our veterans, the cost is their own mental health. Without access to proper treatment, thousands of our veterans relive their horrors over and over again as a result of their PTSD. This prevents them from functioning normally in society and living the peaceful life that they fully deserve after their distinguished service to our nation.
This is where you can come in. If you want to uplift the lives of the veterans in your community who are suffering from mental health issues, you can do so by donating to us at Veteran Car Donations any old car that you no longer use or need.
We’ll sell your auto for a reasonable price, with the proceeds going directly to our charity partners. These IRS-certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations have programs that provide life-changing benefits to veterans in need. These benefits include financial assistance, free medical treatment, employment opportunities, family support, and many others.
In return for your charitable contribution, you will receive from us a 100-percent tax-deductible receipt following the sale of your donated vehicle. This receipt will entitle you to claim a top tax deduction in the next tax season. Moreover, you’ll also benefit from our free pickup and towing services in whatever place you’re located in the country. You’ll likewise enjoy our quick, convenient, and no-paperwork donation process.
We accept donations of nearly all types of vehicles regardless of age and condition.
For more information on our vehicle donation program, check out our FAQs page. For inquiries, you can call us anytime at 877-594-5822 or leave us a message online.
Help Our Suffering Vets Now!
Photo by Matthew Hintz under Pexels License
You can certainly make a difference in the lives of our veterans who are struggling with mental health woes and other tough challenges in the civilian world. Call us at 877-594-5822 or fill out our online donation form to help our heroes with your vehicle donation now!
Last Updated: August 23rd, 2023