Mental well-being: 8 psychological and mental benefits of yoga!
It improves the elasticity of the body, slows down the aging process of cells, helps to overcome insomnia and keep weight under control.
More than a weekly appointment, yoga is a life-changing discipline that helps you live life better in every way.
For those who have been practicing it for a long time, it won't be a surprise, but for those who don't know it, it could be a motivation to give it a try: yoga helps you regain balance ... even of the mind!
And if until recently it was simply a practical observation, in the last few years confirmation has also arrived from science: practicing yoga changes the mind for the better, in at least 8 ways!
First things first...
1. Yoga fights anxiety and stress!
What happens to our bodies during a yoga session ? Serotonin and dopamine levels increase significantly, while cortisol decreases. Simply put? When serotonin and dopamine levels increase, we feel more relaxed, anxiety decreases, and our mood improves significantly. A decrease in cortisol, on the other hand, lowers stress levels. Cortisol activates the amygdala and reduces the prefrontal cortex, which manages self-control and discipline.
In short: asanas and slow, steady breathing are a true antidote to stress and anxiety.
If you feel more peaceful after a yoga session...it's because you really are!
2. Improves memory, learning and problem solving.
Being more focused is one of the first benefits that come to mind when talking about yoga. And you have no idea how true this is!
Researchers Chantal Villemure and Catherine Bushnell, in a recent study conducted for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine , demonstrated that regular yoga practice literally grows certain parts of the brain! Involved in the process are the somatosensory cortex, which maintains the mental map of our body, and the hippocampus, the area that helps combat anxiety and stress . Other areas that can develop include the superior parietal cortex, which helps focus on specific tasks, the visual cortex, and the cingulate cortex, both connected to self-awareness.
How does this brain change also help psychologically? It boosts memory, improves problem solving and learning , and helps you have a more conscious awareness of your body. Yes, thanks to yoga, you can be more focused...but in so many different ways!
3. Helps you manage toxic people and get closer to positive ones.
You know at least one: the toxic or negative person, capable of making you angry or infusing sadness into your day. The good news is that yoga also helps with stressful interactions with negative people : those who practice yoga are better equipped to interact with toxic people thanks to the breathing techniques their body uses, often completely automatically.
Plus, yoga increases levels of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for deep connection with other human beings, aptly known as the "love hormone." Associated with increased serotonin, it makes you less likely to get angry with others because... deep in your yogic mind, you can even find a little compassion even for those who make you lose your temper!
4. It is stimulating for introverts too.
Practicing yoga regularly brings numerous benefits, even to the most introverted people. Beyond the tendency to shy away from highly social situations, each of us, no matter how shy or reserved, needs connection with others!
As a non-competitive practice that emphasizes breathing and concentration, yoga offers the perfect opportunity to interact with the world, be part of a group of positive people, and train the body...in a way that's easy for anyone!
5. Helps fight depression.
Some studies have shown that yoga may have antidepressant effects and may help people consciously overcome traumatic events. As mentioned, serotonin and cortisol levels are linked to depressive moods: numerous studies demonstrate the connection between yoga practice and a reduction in depressive symptoms.
The causes of depression are certainly complex, as are the treatments, but identifying a type of yoga particularly suited to your problem can support a pharmacological and therapeutic path .
There is no "magic" sequence of asanas capable of curing depression, but yoga sessions that also include a meditation component never cease to amaze researchers with the positive results achieved.
The reason? Meditation can help us understand something about ourselves, often repressed or repressed, and give us the ability to address it.
6. Increase body awareness.
Why do so many people start yoga with the idea of changing their bodies... and instead end up loving what they have more and working on other aspects of their lives? Because greater awareness of one's body helps us distance ourselves from the stereotypical images that generate insecurity. And that's not all!
Many eating disorders are about the need to control (situations, body, relationships), while yoga teaches the importance of letting go . Quieting the mind and focusing on the breath and body helps us put aside the mania for perfection and the expectations we each have for ourselves... and appreciate ourselves for our authenticity. Through yoga, those suffering from eating disorders can exercise without focusing on burning calories or achieving goals, learning to love themselves. Furthermore, yoga is an inclusive practice also suitable for those suffering from obesity or living with certain types of disabilities.
7. It's not competitive, but it pushes you to improve.
Every good instructor will remind you: yoga is not competitive . Everyone grows at their own pace, and there's no point comparing yourself to others or trying to rush results. How many people compete for work, attention, more time, or to be better? Even some yoga instructors promote their own courses as the best, but, as Gandhi himself noted, "all these conspiracies to create an elite, even in the world of yoga, are contrary to the very principles of yoga, which are designed to empower the mind, body, and spirit to remember our uniqueness and our connection to universal consciousness."
So relax: the best version of yourself is not achieved through an obstacle course but through a path of acceptance.
8. It helps you learn about a new culture.
It's worth remembering: yoga is a collection of Indian ascetic and meditative practices , and is therefore primarily understood as a means of spiritual fulfillment and salvation. Often, its spread in the West ignores its cultural and spiritual aspects, and those who practice it forget that it is an age-old practice. For this reason, many teachers take a moment at the end of the class to express their gratitude to the Indian masters for sharing yoga with the rest of the world. It's a small but important gesture, which you can perhaps incorporate into your own individual session.
How does all this relate to mental well-being? Being grateful makes us feel positive about the world, and being more mindful of performing age-old gestures, repeating them with humility and awareness...can only make us happy!
Now that you know everything about the benefits of yoga on the mind, you're ready for your next (or first) class and, perhaps, to incorporate some wellness rituals into your daily routine!
