Yoga is among the most popular complementary health approaches practiced by adults in the United States.
Through a combination of physical postures, meditative exercise, and rhythmic breathing, yoga delivers a holistic mind and body experience.
While yoga is well-known for the many physical benefits it delivers – flexibility, muscle toning and strengthening, and balanced metabolism – researchers are starting to discover more about yoga’s benefits for mental health.
Get These 7 Mental Health Benefits Through Practicing Yoga
The scientific base for the mental health benefits of yoga is still young, although this meta-analysis yields eleven relevant studies published from 2009 to 2019.
While research is vigorous and ongoing, current findings suggest yoga could benefit your mental health in the following ways:
- Can improve mood and alleviate depression
- Strengthens social connection
- Proven to reduce anxiety
- Boost the quality and quantity of sleep
- Sharpen focus and concentration
- Possible cognitive benefits
- Reduce aggression and stress
1. Can improve mood and alleviate depression
Studies indicate that yoga can help to decrease depression and perceived stress.
One possible reason for this is that people who practice yoga regularly are known to enjoy higher levels of GABA in the brain. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger associated with mood.
By practicing yoga, you’ll boost your GABA levels naturally, and you’ll release negative emotions while replacing them with healthier and more positive emotions.
Like all forms of exercise, yoga is proven to alleviate the symptoms of depression, so hit the yoga mat and feel your mood lift.
2. Strengthens social connection
Social connection is vital for your mental and emotional well-being. Isolation and social withdrawal, by contrast, can cause your mood to dip.
Whether you choose to attend a yoga class online or in person, you’ll be interacting with others in the group and feeling more connected.
Beyond this, synchrony – moving in harmony with others – instills a powerful sense of bonding and belonging.
3. Proven to reduce anxiety
Many studies show that practicing yoga can decrease anxiety, including performance anxiety.
This 2013 study showed that adolescent musicians who practiced yoga reported decreased anxiety levels in both solo and group performances.
4. Boost the quality and quantity of sleep
Regular yoga practice can help improve your sleep patterns.
Research suggests that people practicing yoga found it to reduce insomnia and also to improve overall sleep quality. If you wake feeling rested and rejuvenated, you are in much stronger mental shape to tackle the day ahead.
5. Sharpen focus and concentration
When you practice yoga, you will need to focus fully. You’ll not only need to find a focal point while performing balancing postures, but you’ll also need to pay close attention to your body so you don’t end up injuring yourself by pushing too hard.
You should find the skills you learn during yoga practice are easily applicable to your day-to-day life. So, if you find yourself frequently distracted and unable to finish tasks efficiently, why not give yoga a try?
6. Possible cognitive benefits
While there is only limited research focusing on the link between yoga and cognition, some findings suggest that cognitive performance improves after engaging in yoga exercise, particularly in areas of memory and inhibition.
7. Reduce aggression and stress
Some studies show that yoga could help you to control and manage anger. Yoga is also associated with reducing stress levels.
If you find yourself abusing drinks or drugs as a response to life’s everyday stressors, joining a yoga class is better than waiting until it’s too late and you find yourself calling an addiction hotline.
Final Thoughts
By keeping your mind and body active through yoga, you can also achieve many mental health benefits to compound the increased flexibility and strength you’ll enjoy through regular practice.
Find a style of yoga that suits you and get started today!
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This article is published by our independent team of health and wellness pundits that publish original and informative content to empower readers to take charge of their health and embark on a physically, mentally, and emotionally balanced lifestyle.
Very informative!! Regular yoga practice improves mental clarity and calmness, promotes bodily awareness, reduces chronic stress patterns, relaxes the mind, directs attention, and sharpens concentration, according to the Yoga Association.
Indeed Megala. You are right!