Everyone was in a state of fear when the epidemic initially broke out. Individuals lost their jobs, schools were shut down, and many were forced to stay at home for a year or more. All of this had a negative impact on our general well-being. It’s believed that the percentage of people in the United States suffering from depression or anxiety has risen from 36% to 41% in only the last year.
You may have been searching the Internet for techniques to deal with your bad feelings if you’re feeling down. If you’re looking for a way to improve your mental and physical health, we recommend yoga. Learn more about the benefits of this age-old practice for your mental well-being in the following sections.
1. It Alleviates Tension
Yoga emphasizes deep, deliberate breathing as a critical component of its practice. Yogic breathing practices, such as viloma (interrupted breathing), bhramari (humming bee breath), and nadishodhana (slow, deep inhalation), are all forms of pranayama (alternate nostril breathing). Lung function and blood pressure may be improved, and the nervous system can be soothed. A reduced level of the stress hormone cortisol in your system might result.
2. It helps to Maintain Your Brain in Peak Condition
Yoga is a great way to keep your body and mind in sync. To aid memory and information processing, various yoga asanas and pranayama techniques may help you control your mood. According to research published in 2019, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia are less likely to occur in those who engage in the regular practice of yoga.
3. It helps in Restful Sleep
We’ve spoken about the significance of sleep in keeping your health and happiness in check in the past. Yoga may help you go to sleep quicker, avoid sleep interruptions, and wake up feeling more rested the following day. Regular exercise, such as yoga, is essential for healthy sleep hygiene. 55% of yoga practitioners questioned by the Sleep Foundation said their sleep quality has significantly improved. Being a yogi and the many other advantages may dramatically enhance your mental well-being and general happiness.
4. It helps in the Recovery of Mental Wellness
The neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid affects your mood chemically (GABA). Depression and anxiety may be caused by a lack of GABA in the brain. You can keep your GABA levels up by practicing yoga poses, which may improve your mood and potentially cure PTSD. The pioneering research on Yoga as an Adjunctive Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder demonstrated that 52% of individuals no longer fit the criteria for PTSD after ten weeks of practicing yoga.
How to Get Started With Yoga For Mental Health Purposes
Consider starting your yoga practice with medical therapeutic yoga sessions if you’re looking for mental health advantages. Professionals who have completed specialized healthcare management training are in charge of these programs. Many healthcare workers will get experience in various contexts to enhance their abilities. As a result, their solutions are always grounded in reality. The result is that they may devise customized workouts within Western medicine that incorporate traditional yoga. If you begin your yoga practice with a kind of practice that focuses on addressing mental health difficulties, you will see an increase in the positive effects on your health over time.
Alternatively, you may use our yoga app, which has over 1,000 personalized yoga courses produced by renowned teachers for every kind of practitioner. Beginner courses, for example, or 60-minute guided routines, are examples of options. As soon as you’re ready to go out on your own, you may experience all the benefits that yoga offers, both physically and mentally.