Yoga has been popular for years. This is because it helps keep your body active but also has intense mental health benefits.
In fact, yoga is sometimes known as the practice of quieting the mind. And let’s face it. Life is stressful. Our lives are filled with family and work stress, long to-do lists and all types of insecurities. It’s no wonder our lives are anything but quiet.
However, yoga can help us discover peace amid the chaos. Using meditative breathing can help enhance relaxation and lessen stress. It’s also a great way to yoga strengthen the body and increase mobility.
Are you wondering how yoga can help you? We have the answers to how yoga can help you curate a happier and healthier mind. Here’s how:
Improve mood:
Exercise, in general, can boost your mood. However, yoga is thought to be even more effective at this. Because yoga improves deep breathing and meditation, your yoga practice can tap into your mental health better. Not only does it increase the production of endorphins, which make you feel happy, it also brings oxygen to your brain and elevates levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is associated with decreased anxiety.
This can lead to less anxiety, better sleep and more energy. What could be better than that?
Sharper thinking:
When you practice yoga, you’re also helping your brain cells develop. Through your practice, your brain cells develop new connections, which results in better cognitive skills and memory. This is key to your memory and attention span. In fact, studies from Harvard have shown that people who regularly do yoga have improved information processing and improved memory compared to those who did not practice yoga. In addition, because yoga taps into your concentration and coordination, it activates these key areas of your brain, further building these connections. By practicing yoga, you may just be able to concentrate longer and remember things even better.
Studies from Harvard also found that yoga can help your brain as you age. As we age, so do our brains. For many, certain areas of our brains may actually shrink, resulting in lower cognitive function, especially in the areas related to memory. Harvard’s study found that people who regularly practice yoga had less brain shrinkage than those who did not practice yoga.
Improved fitness:
The benefits of yoga are not all related to the mind, however. Yoga is also a powerful fitness tool. Most of the poses utilize all parts of the body, aiding in muscle development and strength. However, unlike going to the gym, yoga also helps you improve flexibility, balance and mobility. Often, when we add muscle, we lose flexibility and mobility. Loss of mobility can make it harder to do certain tasks and can increase pain from tight and overworked muscles. Yoga, however, increases your strength and your mobility. It can also help prevent injury, as well.
Yoga can help with common ailments, such as back pain and arthritis. It can also help keep your heart strong. A recent study found that yoga can reduce cholesterol levels and the risk for heart disease, as well.
Yoga is great for all ability levels and, even better, it can be practiced almost anywhere. Check out local classes or guided videos for more help getting started or taking your own yoga practice to the next level. Try yoga in your living room, with a friend, even at the park.
So, put on your favorite yoga pants (even a comfy pair of sweats will do). The options and benefits are endless!
