Yoga for Humanity:The 5 Benefits of Yoga for Mental Health
Yoga is well-known for its ability to reduce stress, improve flexibility and focus, and promote a sense of calm. However, in addition to its many physical benefits, researchers are learning more about the therapeutic value of yoga in combating mental health issues and improving mental health.
In fact, some research suggests that yoga could be an effective remedy for a wide range of the most frequent reasons individuals seek therapy. Even the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health recognizes the benefits of yoga to one's health and wellness.
Alternative therapies, such as yoga, have been found to promote mental health in the same way that certain psychiatric medications have shown success in treating anxiety and depression. The yoga practice is no longer viewed simply as a holistic approach to health and wellness. It has garnered a scientific following in recent years, and there is significant research to back up the many benefits of yoga to mental health.
Yoga and Mental Health
Yoga focuses on breathing exercises and meditation, which both help to relax and focus the mind. This practice provides mental health benefits such as reducing anxiety and depression, as well as improving one’s overall mental health.
Research shows that yoga provides a wide range of benefits for mental health that go well beyond the benefits of other types of light to moderate physical activity, and this is likely due to changes in brain chemicals that occur during yoga practice.
When practising yoga, the thalamus releases larger amounts of GABA into the bloodstream. Because of its ability to decrease neural activity, GABA is often known as the brain's "grand inhibitor". Anti-anxiety medicines and alcohol can both be mimicked by this. When it comes to dealing with the stresses of daily life, yoga can help you "reset" your mind to a calmer and more focused state.
Yoga is a good alternative or supplemental treatment for conditions that necessitate medical treatment and/or therapy since it is natural, accessible to all, and relatively simple to practice. Moreover, it is an excellent option as yoga is a practice that connects the mind to the body.
Here are the key mental health benefits of the yoga practice:
Relieves Stress
When you meditate as part of the yoga practice, you can improve your mental clarity and lower your stress levels. A study showed that after consistent mindfulness meditation practices, MRI scans revealed a decrease in the brain's fight-or-flight centre (amygdala). Stress activates this primitive part of the brain, which is associated with both fear and emotion. Our prefrontal cortex, which is involved in making decisions, grows in size as our amygdala decreases. Over time, the more meditation we practise, the less stressed we become.
The practice of yoga can also help you deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Studies conducted at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto reported that participants in a Kundalini yoga program demonstrated higher improvements in sleep, perceived stress, anxiousness, and adaptability than those who did not do yoga.
Fights Anxiety and Depression
Yoga is a great approach to combat and alleviates anxiety and depression since it combines movement, mindfulness, relaxation, and even social interaction. Yoga can help you regain a sense of calmness and balance in your life by managing your stress response, freeing your mind of worries, and soothing your neurological system.
Yoga can soothe your nerves without using prescribed drugs by reducing your heart rate, improving your breathing, and promoting blood flow.
Boosts Mental Focus and Awareness
If you find it difficult to stay focused on daily tasks and are often distracted, yoga can help you become more efficient and productive. Yoga encourages you to be conscious of and concentrate on your balance while performing various postures and breathing techniques, which improve your mental focus and make you gain a heightened sense of awareness.
Improves Your Mood
Yoga stimulates the brain's production of "feel-good" neurotransmitters - dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Even though the motions in yoga are slow and regulated, the heart rate is raised, the muscles are engaged, and the brain's mood-boosting chemicals are released as a result. Practising yoga is proven to put someone in a good mood. Moreover, the mindfulness practice in yoga is like a vacuum that cleanses the mind, freeing it from negative thoughts and promoting a positive outlook.
Strengthens the Mind and Body Connection
Being in the present moment, focusing on your breath, and syncing your movements help to reinforce the mind-body connection. As you move your body in space, you become aware of your body's position, as well as how your body is feeling and reacting to what you’re thinking. Over time, you can manipulate how you feel in your mind and body by controlling them separately or together.