There are many yoga benefits for mental health, but you discover the ten proven ones in today’s article.
Yoga is, undeniably, an excellent exercise for physical health.
It is incredibly beneficial to our mentality and overall well-being.
Most of yoga’s physical benefits are:
- Improves flexibility
- May reduce illness and chronic inflammation
- Increase body strength and balance
- Boost immunity
- Improves cardiovascular functioning
- Promotes better posture and body awareness
- Helps bone health
- Improves overall quality of life
There are 1 in 5 and approximately 43 million Americans with a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.
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These people often find it challenging to get the care they need. Additionally, the available medications do not always bring satisfactory results.
For these and other reasons, many people with mental health problems are looking for alternative approaches to their management, including yoga.
10 Proven Yoga Benefits for Mental Health
Exercise is a must for our physical and mental health.
After a few weeks of trying Yoga, you will note numerous benefits to our bodies, especially our minds.
Yoga can help calm the mind and relieve the stress and worries that affect everyday life. But people with more serious psychological issues can find numerous benefits by doing yoga.
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According to experts, the benefits of yoga are dose-dependent; that is, the more you follow it, the more significant the improvement you will see.
Most recommend at least 15 minutes of exercise and at least 3-5 times a week.
So, discover the ten most crucial yoga benefits for mental health in today’s article below.
#1 Depression
Researchers found that yoga can be essential in treating depression. (1)
Studies in the Netherlands found that yoga provided significant benefits to people suffering from chronic depression. (2)
In one of them, researchers studied men and women suffering from depression for about 11 years.
Research has shown an improvement in symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and thought-provoking, after 2.5 hours of yoga a week for about 2.5 months combined with antidepressants. (3)
In another study, depressed students practiced yoga for 30 minutes with their instructor. Then, they do yoga at home for eight days with video help. (4)
All the students saw a more significant reduction in symptoms over two months than other relaxation techniques.
#2 Anxiety
Yoga can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. (5)
In 2016, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study about anxiety and yoga. The study shows that people with major depressive disorder who did not respond fully to medication saw an improvement after Sudarshan Kriya yoga sessions. (6)
The above is a breathing control posture and constitutes one of the most crucial yoga benefits for mental health.
In the same study, people who took medication but did not do yoga did not improve symptoms.
Experts point out that yoga helps calm the nervous system of patients with anxiety and significantly lessen tension.
#3 Eating disorders
Yoga can also help patients with eating disorders change their attitudes towards their bodies.
In a pilot study, some participants took part in a yoga class designed to target the eating disorder symptoms they suffered. The researchers found those participants had a less negative pre-meal attitude than the non-yoga group. (7)
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Those who practiced yoga also reported that they felt calm and in harmony with their inner world.
Yoga helps people see their bodies as something they work with and not against it. (8)
#4 Psychiatric disorders
A yoga therapy program can be part of treating a psychiatric disorder. (9)
Researchers conducted a study on schizophrenia with an eight-week yoga treatment program. The program included postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation. (10)
The research concluded those who did yoga exercises saw a vast improvement in symptoms. Additionally, all participants saw a reduction in negative thoughts.
Overall, they found that yoga can significantly improve patients’ symptoms and quality of life. (11)
#5 Post-traumatic stress disorder
Yoga benefits both the mind and the body, meaning it can help manage the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. (12)
A study found that yoga improved women’s lives with post-traumatic stress disorder after 12 sessions of Kripalu. Kripalu is a yoga technique that focuses on consciousness rather than perfection. (13)
Yoga achieves proven well-being, empowerment, and flexibility.
The study shows that physical and respiratory exercises and relaxation techniques can improve post-traumatic stress disorder.
The goal is to find a feeling in harmony with current needs.
And, this approach can help patients learn to calm down when frustrated. In addition, this method removes them from abuses such as alcohol or drugs and dangerous behaviors.
#6 Releases valuable chemicals to the brain
Most exercises trigger the release of chemicals into the brain. They are mood-boosting chemicals and include dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
Although yoga movements are slow and controlled, they still raise your heart rate.
In addition, yoga makes the muscles work hard and stimulates the release of chemicals in the brain, making you happier. (14)
Yoga combines groups of different exercises, calms, and improves the mind and body. (15)
One study found it activates brain areas responsible for motivation, executive function, attention, and neuroplasticity. (16)
#7 Yoga improves sleep
We realize we have slept well when we wake up full of energy, feeling refreshed and relaxed, without feeling drowsy during the day.
The most common factors that cause sleep disorders are stress, overuse of technology, and overexertion.
If you have insomnia or poor sleep quality, the solution lies in yoga! (17)
A study on insomnia from Harvard University also supports this beneficial factor. In addition, people who practiced yoga for just eight weeks achieved better and longer sleep. (18)
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However, this benefit did not apply to those who did not follow this exercise program.
Breathing exercises used in yoga also encourage deep breathing.
You will even feel deep relaxation, about an hour after the start of exercise.
This technique is helpful if your mind is preoccupied with thoughts or worries when it comes time for a good night’s sleep.
But spending some time in yoga before bed will improve your chances of getting a good night’s sleep. (19)
Yoga reduces stress levels, calms the mind, and relieves tension.
It can, thus, be an effective natural remedy for insomnia.
#8 Enhances memory and improves concentration
Many conditions in life require high levels of concentration.
According to Women’s Fitness, Yoga is also beneficial in improving memory and concentration. (20)
Dharana, for example, is a well-known practice of mindfulness. It is the best way to “cleanse” the mind and relax the senses. It transfers attention from external conditions to the mind. (21)
This way, you will remember events more efficiently and concentrate better.
This attitude also helps to perform processes that require spiritual work successfully.
#9 Prevent the occurrence of mental illness, which occur during adolescence
Adolescence is a stage in which many mental illnesses are more likely to occur.
Because of the many mental disorders in modern adolescents, it is imperative to prevent risk factors.
Yoga is a helpful practice that can protect against mental illness. (22)
A study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics confirms the same. The participants in this study were teenagers who participated in Kripalu Yoga classes. (23)
This yoga includes physical postures, breathing, relaxation, and meditation.
The yoga children had a better mood and lower stress and intensity levels compared to the control group. These individuals also had better anger management, improved body resilience, and mental clarity. (24)
These are just some of the goal-setting shareware to prevent adolescent mental illness.
#10 Helps build trust and improves patience
Yoga can help those who suffer from self-esteem issues, loss of confidence, or poor self-esteem. (25)
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Those mental problems are often a cause of depression and anxiety.
Regular yoga practice helps the center of your body, and it develops flexibility. In addition, yoga’s breathing techniques improve confidence and help to clear the mind of doubt feelings. (26)
Lack of patience is a common side effect of anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
These mental illnesses lead to uncontrollable angry outbursts.
Yoga incorporates many breathing activities known as Pranayama that help cleanse your body and mind. (27)
When you start these exercises, you will improve patience and inner balance and help prevent angry outbursts.
Final thoughts about yoga benefits for mental health
Yoga can help us on many levels, and there are now many studies to confirm this.
It offers many physical benefits such as muscle strengthening, a better sense of balance, and better flexibility.
But at the same time, it offers us significant benefits for mental health and is one of the best exercises you can choose.
Did you know the 10 yoga benefits for mental health?
So, did you know the above ten yoga benefits for mental health and wellness? Have you ever tried yoga to relieve stress and anxiety?
Please leave your comments below.
I wish you to be always well! 🙂