It has been medically and scientifically proven in recent years that yoga can improve mental health and physical health. People who practice yoga typically has a higher tolerance for pain and can regulate stress and pain responses. It also has an array of other health-related benefits. In this post, I will be sharing 10 reasons why yoga is beneficial for mental health.
How is Psychology and Yoga Related to One Another?
Yoga involves more than simply holding poses and doing stretches. It is a multi-faceted practice that encompasses various life principles, like:
- Samadhi (ecstasy)
- Yama (Moral code)
- Savasana (state of rest)
- Asanas (poses and postures)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Niyama (self-discipline)
- Dhyanna (meditation)
- Pranayama (mindful breathing)
- Pratyahara (senses detachment)
Physical Health Benefits of Yoga
Yoga can be effective for reducing chronic pain, maintaining blood pressure, reducing lower back pain, and improving insomnia. Other physical health benefits include:
- Improved respiratory system
- Boosted metabolism
- Increased flexibility
- Weight loss
- Feeling more energetic
- Better Sleep
- Enhanced health
- Advanced physical strength
10 Reasons Why Yoga is Beneficial for Mental Health
Reducing Stress Levels
Yoga lowers cortisol (main stress hormone) secretion which in turn lowers stress levels and causes relaxation. It also improves overall quality of life and mental health. Yoga is a potent way for keeping stress levels in check.
Lowering Anxiety
Many individuals practice yoga to better cope with anxiety. Yoga is also useful for women that have post traumatic stress disorder. It assists them with overcoming fear of a traumatic event. Yoga focuses on the essentialness of being present in the moment and having a sense of peace which lowers feelings of anxiety.
Enhancing Quality of Life
Yoga is a commonplace therapy for enhancing quality of life for numerous individuals worldwide. People who do yoga every day have boosted mood and fatigue levels. It an also reduce the symptoms experienced after chemotherapy such as nausea and vomiting. Yoga enhances your level of acceptance, invigoration, and relaxation.
Combatting Depression
Yoga is beneficial for lowering depression symptoms due to the anti-depressant impact and reduction of cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Yoga is also used as treatment for those fighting substance abuse and alcoholism. Yoga assists with fighting depression in conjunction with traditional therapies or methods or on its own.
Lowering Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is something that millions of people struggle with and comes with various probable causes, from arthritis to injury-related causes. Yoga can offer relief for chronic pain. In addition, it can also improve grip strength, knee osteoarthritis, and wrist splinting. When your chronic pain is reduced, it automatically impacts your mental state.
Better Sleep
Depression, obesity, and high blood pressure are only some of the issues one can experience due to lack of sleep. Incorporating yoga into your daily life can however promote better sleep. It can help you with falling asleep faster, sleeping for prolonged hours, and feel more energized and well-rested in the morning. Yoga reduces sleep disturbances, boosts quality of sleep, and reduces the need for medications to help you sleep. Yoga boosts melatonin (hormone that controls sleep and wakefulness) secretions which directly influence sleep patterns.
More Advanced Flexibility and Balance
Yoga is effective in advancing flexibility and balance of the body. It helps with reducing overall body mass and by just practicing yoga each day for fifteen to thirty minutes can have a substantial impact on performance by boosting your balance and flexibility.
Offering Relief for Migraines
Migraines are highly unpleasant severe headaches that affect a large percentage of the population. Severe migraine symptoms can be reduced with yoga. By practicing yoga regularly, it can reduce the pain, frequency, and intensity of migraine headaches by stimulating the vagus nerve which brings relief.
Boosting Mental Strength
Yoga build mental strength and enhances flexibility which in turn promotes self-awareness in thinking about our limitations, strengths, preferences, and dislikes. It reinforces your sense of self-control and emphasizes on setting commitments.
Instilling Positivity
Yoga can be described as vacuum cleaning your mental mind hygiene. The impressions in your mind are erased, getting rid of unwanted emotional baggage and bringing forth positive energy. It is among the commonplace mental health benefits linked to yoga.
Conclusion
I hope that you have found this post useful and that these 10 reasons why yoga is beneficial for mental health has convinced you to start practicing yoga to see if it makes a positive impact on your physical and mental health.
Sending you inner peace, light, and love.
Anthea