Yoga is considered one of the oldest forms of exercise, and although there are many different styles, from gentle to vigorous, it usually involves stretching, breathing, and periods of deep relaxation or meditation.
It is the key to psychological and emotional healing, but does not replace medication and therapy. Focusing on deep breathing and gentle stretching through yoga practice can be helpful if you want to improve your mental health and overall well-being.
7 Mental Health Benefits of Yoga
Happiness and mental health can be difficult for some people to achieve. Establishing a regular yoga practice can help achieve balance and flexibility in life.
Yoga offers a variety of benefits that can help improve your mental health and overall well-being, whether you want to focus, achieve better physical health, or increase your happiness.
Regular yoga practice can help:
- Reduce stress.
- Lower anxiety levels.
- Reduce depression.
- Improve sleep quality.
- Improve the quality of life.
- Introduces positivity.
- Provides balance and flexibility.
Reduces stress- Yoga is an effective way to manage stress. Yoga reduces the release of cortisol (the main stress hormone), which relieves stress and promotes relaxation. It also helps improve mental health and quality of life.
Lower anxiety levels- Practising yoga to deal with anxiety is very effective. It is beneficial for women with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Yoga helps women overcome fear of traumatic events. Yoga emphasises the importance of being present in the moment and finding a sense of peace that reduces anxiety.
Reduces depression- Yoga has an antidepressant effect which helps reduce the signs and symptoms of depression. Yoga lowers cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
Promotes sleep quality- Obesity, depression, high blood pressure cause poor sleep quality. However, incorporating yoga into your daily routine can improve sleep quality. Yoga helps you fall asleep faster, and feel more rested. Yoga reduces sleep disturbances and improves sleep quality. It increases the release of melatonin (a hormone that regulates wakefulness and sleep).
Improve quality of life- Yoga is commonly used as an adjunctive therapy to improve the quality of life for many people around the world. People who practise yoga every day experience an improved mood and fatigue levels.
Additionally, yoga has been observed to reduce post chemotherapy symptoms such as vomiting and nausea, which improves overall quality of life. Yoga promotes relaxation and strengthening.
Brings out positive energy- This is one of the overall mental health benefits of yoga. The impression in the head is erased, which frees it from unwanted emotional baggage and creates positive energy.
Improves balance and flexibility- Yoga improves balance and flexibility of the body. Yoga also helps reduce overall body mass. Practising yoga for 15-30 minutes daily makes a big difference for people who want to improve their performance by increasing their flexibility and balance.
Different Yoga Types for Better Mental Health
You will find that yoga has many types and can be adapted to all skill levels. To get started, explore several types to find the one which suits you best.
Ashtanga-
It focuses on poses that are quick and consistent, requiring more physical exertion. It’s a high-energy, vigorous form designed to make you sweat.
Hatha-
It involves gentler, slower movements which are best for beginners. It aims to introduce beginners to the basic relaxation techniques and asanas (poses or positions) used in yoga practice.
Bikram-
It takes place in a hot room where you practise a series of movements to help blood flow. It consists of smooth, gentle movements to stretch muscles and increase circulation.
Vinyasa-
It combines breathing and movement, pacing starts slowly and gradually accelerates. Vinyasa aims to increase strength and help build lean muscle mass throughout the body.
Lyengar-
This type of yoga uses props such as blocks, chairs, and ropes to help you find proper body alignment. It is good to focus on precision, timing, and the use of props to build strength and stability.
Restorative-
It slowly goes through five or six poses in an hour to help you relax. This style is all about slowing down and opening up the body through passive stretching. Restorative classes are very gentle and a great way to relieve stress.
Conclusion
You can unleash your body’s potential and start fresh, only through yoga. A fantastic strategy for reducing stress and gradually building stress resilience is yoga for mental health. Regular yoga practice can help a person achieve balance and health, which can improve mental health.
Yoga has several psychological and physical benefits which can increase self-esteem and promote a positive self-image. In addition, regular yoga practice can help cultivate a calm and healthy mind, which can provide many benefits, including better overall mental health.
