The ancient practice of yoga has proven beneficial in many ways. Regular yoga practice can impact one’s overall physical health, energy levels, and physiology. However, yoga also has some profound effects on mental health and contributes to a greater sense of inner peace, healing, and mental clarity.
The Positive Effects of Yoga
In general, there are many positive effects that yoga can have on a person who regularly practices it. It is a very helpful practice one can have in their daily routine and is a key to wellness. The deep, controlled breathing that is integral in yoga promotes almost instant calm and helps reduce anxiety. This can be a great behavioral management tool that people can use nearly any time to manage their mental health. Scientific research is starting to be done and is being more accepted by the scientific community.
Yoga and traditional mental health treatments do not have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, yoga is a great alternative to some psychiatric medications and is a natural option for people to help improve their overall mental well-being. Doing yoga can help with reducing depression, anger, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms naturally. Many studies have been done on these aspects and the positive effects that practicing yoga can have. Yoga allows people to become more aware and in control of their emotions. It has also been shown to help reduce Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms and other traumas that impact the nervous system. It is an effective way to prompt healing in individuals with these past traumas.
Another important benefit of practicing yoga is that it can help with sleep. Numerous studies have shown that yoga helps reduce insomnia and improves overall sleep quality. This could help reduce fatigue and allow a person to feel well-rested. It can also affect one’s mood, emotions, and mental state. Yoga can also help improve flexibility, which is not only helpful for physical well-being but can prevent injury and contribute to positive feelings in general. Yoga has also been known to help with pain management, which can sometimes have a negative effect on mental health, depending on the frequency and severity of the pain.
The Yoga-Mind Connection
The practice of yoga is starting to become more widely accepted in the mainstream and it also being researched more frequently in the scientific community. Once regarded as nothing more than folklore or a holistic practice, yoga’s reputation is changing as more proof is found of its mind-body connection.
One of the most important benefits revealed by research is yoga’s impact on your heart rate. According to research published in the Integrative Medicine Research Journal, regularly engaging in yoga practice helps soothe the autonomic nervous system in the body, which is important in helping to reduce trauma and stress. This benefit is tied to the focused breathing that is part of proper yoga practice. Combining yoga with meditation was also shown to help increase heart rate variability.
Controlled breathing is the heart of why yoga is so effective for both mental and physical health. During a yoga session, breathing becomes relaxed and deeper and there is more variation between heartbeats. Practicing proper breath control can help a person become calmer and have more control over their emotions and overall mindset.
So what does heart rate variability have to do with yoga? Essentially, heart rate variability measures the changes in variation between heartbeats. If a person is in a fight-or-flight mode, the less heart rate variability they have. This can be problematic because decreased heart rate variability is linked to things like anxiety, anger, and unregulated emotions. Over time, a decrease in heart rate variability can negatively impact the autonomic nervous system, as well.
Other Benefits of Yoga for Your Mental Well-Being
While heart health and emotional regulation are certainly important benefits, the following are even more ways yoga can augment your mental health:
- Reduces inflammation in the body.
- Promotes restful sleep.
- Can be used in conjunction with therapy to fight depression.
Takeaways Practicing yoga often benefits both your physical and mental health, and the research is ongoing about just how yoga affects the latter. While its calming effects are undeniable, regularly practicing yoga has a positive impact on energy and improves focus. No longer viewed as merely a holistic alternative, yoga is now back with scientific research that confirms what seasoned yogis have known all along. Whether you are a beginner who is just trying out yoga or an expert level practitioner who is well-versed in Hatha, Vinyasa, and/or Bikram, there’s something for everyone.