6 Mental Benefits of Yoga
It’s no big secret that there are several different mental benefits of yoga that can do wonders for every aspect of your being. It can rejuvenate your mind, reinvigorate your body, and recharge your spirit. As such, the benefits of yoga cut across the physical, mental, and spiritual spectrum.
In this post, however, we shall only cover the top mental benefits of yoga
#1. Yoga Sharpens your Concentration and Memory Focus
With each yoga pose, yogis can spruce up their brain function and health. In fact, certain yoga poses and techniques have been found to stimulate the nervous system and brain. The result is improved mental focus and sharpened concentration. Moreover, yoga helps your brain become pliable so it can process information more efficiently and quickly.
#2. Yoga Helps Relieve Anxiety and Stress
Stress and anxiety relief is one of the most important mental yoga benefits. You see, your body and mind can take a beating from anxiety attacks and stress. In fact, recent studies have shown that increased levels of stress hormones (called cortisol) can lead to pain, loss of sleep, and other lifestyle ailments. The relaxation, calmness and fluidity that come with regular yoga practice has been found to reduce not only these stress hormones, but also anxiety.
#3. Yoga Uplifts your Mood as one of the Mental Benefits
Just like other forms of exercise, vinyasa yoga can help induce the secretion of more “feel good” neurotransmitters, including endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These are hormones that regulate happiness and rewarding behaviour. At the same time, yoga reduces stress and the mood-depressing hormone called cortisol. That’s why it comes as no big surprise that yoga can work wonders for cancer and dementia patients. However, anyone can benefit from an uplifted mood.
#4. Yoga Improves Mindfulness
Mindfulness is crucial when it comes to collecting your thoughts and living in the present moment. When combined with other practices like meditation, yoga can help you become mindful of yourself, of your thoughts, and of others. More importantly, getting started with mindfulness allows you to be in sync with your emotions and be in a better position to take on life’s ups and downs. What’s more, mindfulness has been found to help boost the immune system and improve relationships.
#5. Yoga and Sleep Disorders
One of the biggest mental yoga benefits is that it can help treat insomnia and other sleep disorders. By improving your mindfulness and relaxing your mind, yoga can indeed help you sleep better and aid your body to recover faster.
#6. Yoga can Slow Down Cognitive Decline
A recent 12-week-long study has shown that yoga can effectively combat cognitive degeneration. It not only improves memory but also boost regeneration of brain cells.
There you have it — 6 mental benefits of yoga for your brain and mental health. Yoga is also recommended to help fight depression as well as treat PTSD and schizophrenia.