Healthy Benefits of a Routine Yoga Practice
It’s not often you find an activity that provides the mental health benefits of exercise, meditation and therapy in one fell swoop. But that’s what makes yoga so special. Harvard Health Publishing, with Harvard University, has stated that “the ancient practice Yoga and meditation, has become increasingly popular in today’s busy society. For many people, yoga provides a retreat from their chaotic and busy lives.” With a routine yoga practice studies have shown that yoga reduces anxiety, lessen symptoms of depression, and contribute to a better night’s sleep. Not to mention there’s scientific proof that links engaging in enjoyable leisure activities to better psychological and physical well-being.
In case you’re still not convinced to start a routine yoga practice, you’ll find seven reasons why you should start practicing yoga today; along with an easy to follow guide to get you started! (https://www.healthcoachinstitute.com/articles/mental-health-benefits-yoga/)
What Are the Mental Health Benefits of Yoga?
1. Yoga Aids in Stress Relief
Now, more than ever, people are stressed out. Not only does yoga provide a physical outlet for stress, but it has also been scientifically proven to decrease the toll stress takes on the mind. A 2018 study on the effect of yoga on stress reported that 52 women saw their stress levels significantly decrease after 12 sessions of regular hatha yoga practice. (Hatha is one style of yoga, and the type most commonly practiced at studios.)
2. Yoga Helps Reduce Anxiety
Anxiety can take quite a toll on the body. A 2018 study on the impact of yoga nidra, a slow and meditative-style movement, showed conclusive evidence that it was able to reduce symptoms of anxiety among its participants. Sometimes yoga classes will also incorporate nadi shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing, which helps slow your heartbeat and can lessen the symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety.
3. Yoga Lessens Depressive Symptoms
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression affects as much as 3.8% of the population. Unfortunately, right now it’s harder than ever to receive treatment for mental health-related illnesses, which is even more reason to try yoga! A 2017 study on the treatment of major depressive disorder with Iyengar yoga found that after 12 weeks of regular practice, there was a significant decline in depressive symptoms.
4. Yoga Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem
As a child, it’s perfectly normal to try new hobbies and put yourself in new settings. These types of interactions become less frequent in adulthood, and suddenly the thought of heading to new class, or trying something new, can bring up some major anxiety. So the sheer act of walking into a yoga studio for the first time is already a major confidence booster. Once you start improving your yoga skills, and learning how to get into poses that you once thought impossible, your self-esteem will skyrocket.
5. Yoga Makes Meditation Easier
One of the most important aspects of yoga is the focus on the breath. When you matching your breath to your movement it helps you focus and clear out any negative thoughts in your mind. That’s why yoga is sometimes referred to as a “moving meditation,” and is great for people looking to reap the benefits of meditation but have a hard time sitting still.
6. Yoga Contributes to Better Sleep
Yoga can also help you get a better night’s sleep, which is important because sleep is crucial for mental and physical wellness. Specifically, the slow and steady yoga nidra has been shown to assist people with chronic insomnia.
7. Yoga Improves Social Life
It can be hard to make friends as an adult. Joining a yoga studio and sticking with a regular schedule allows you to see the same people often; which makes sparking up small talk easier. You already know you and your classmates have a love of yoga in common…what else might you have in common? It’s also typical for yoga studios to host after-hours social events where mingling and chatting is encouraged.