Sometimes, I’ll open up to someone about my stress and the only response I’ll receive is a condescending smile and a squeaky, “you should try yoga!”
No, Becky.
I know yoga is physically good for you. There are thousands of articles and countless research studies to back that up. It’s also a universally accepted fact that it can help your mental health, but that is not a solution to the problems you’re hearing about. Yoga will not make the bills go away, it won’t pass your exams for you, it will not remove your boss’ head from his a**. Yoga will not get rid of your depression, anxiety, or disorder.
It’s a transitory distraction.
Which is nice sometimes, when you can afford it.
Not everyone has the means to attend a yoga class, either. For many there are not enough hours in the day and far too often are there not enough dollars in the bank.
If your friend is ranting to you about how swamped they are, how they have tests to study for, how they have responsibilities, it’s insensitive to suggest an activity that will take time away from the responsibilities they have to do.
Sometimes all yoga will do is mess up your back and make you sore. You cannot fully appreciate the effects of yoga if you are not free of all distractions. To be completely immersed, you have to have a modicum of inner peace which doesn’t exist at all in some circumstances.
The fact that the person who have a conversation with is opening up to you about their problems should not be taken lightly. This person has some level of trust in you, by dismissing their problems as something that can be solved with a few stretches and some ‘OM’s’ is disrespectful.The person who is ranting about their strife is not looking for a solution, or a distraction; they want to talk about their feelings before they fester and explode. The most help you can be to someone who is stressed or mentally ill is by lending an ear (or a hotline number) and genuinely listening. If you can’t empathize, then sympathize; validate your friend’s feelings.
Sometimes, all they want to hear is, “yeah dude, that sucks. I get why you feel that way,” so they know they’re not completely crazy.
Trust me, we would love to take you up on that yoga class offer when we finally get the downtime or the mental stability, but as for now, just listen.
