More and more people are beginning to understand the importance of mental health. In the past, individuals with depression were seen as miserable, but now we know it is an illness. It is this increase in awareness which why many people try and take care of their mental health. From a daily brain teaser to meditation, there are lots of ways to soothe the mind. But, none are better than a daily dose of yoga. Although it might be a cliché, it is true that the exercises are as good for your brain as your body. Here are the reasons why yoga-na benefit.
It Clears The Mind
Have you heard of the Mountain Top Clinic retreat in India? Lots of people have because they are experts in wellness and well-being. And, if you check out mountaintopclinic.com, you’ll see that they start each day with a yoga session. The fact that professionals in the area believe in the qualities should be enough, but there is more. In simple terms, the physical act of yoga is a form of meditation which helps clear the mind. By performing it daily, it helps reduce the tensions and rigors of life. As a result, people tend to suffer from mental ailments such as stress far less.
To a lot of people, reducing focus is not a clever move. After all, the more you concentrate, the better the results, right? Not in the case of your brain. Yes, there are times when you need to focus on enhancing your mental abilities. But, concentrating on the wrong things is fatiguing. Plus, it only heightens the feeling of stress. By clearing your mind, there should be a complete lack of focus on, well, everything. Sometimes, not thinking is the only way to think as it helps you clear the mind.
Prevents Mental Health Issues
Although stress is a major cause of mental discomfort, it is only the beginning. From depression to bipolar disorder, there are lots of diseases that a person can develop. And, these are just two examples; there is a lot more if you are willing to look. The good news is that a study in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics found links between yoga and mental health. On examinedexistence.com, the results found that yoga goers had better mindfulness and didn’t suffer mood swings.
Boosts Physical Well-Being
If you think that mental and physical health is separate, you are wrong. Yes, certain factors affect your brain and your body, but they also share a link. Simply put, people who are unhealthy also suffer from mental illnesses. The reason for this is that exercise is a great way to relieve stress and tension. If there is a lack of exercise in your life, the build up will lead to an explosion. Why yoga and not other sports? Well, although it’s low-intensity, the health benefits are wide-ranging. According to osteopathic.org, it is one of the best forms of workout available.
Floods The Brain
One of the great things about yoga is the fact that it enhances an individual’s mood. However, don’t take people at their word – check out the science. There are certain things which boost chemical production and flood the brain with dopamine and oxytocin. If your mind is in the gutter, you’ll be able to think of one at the very least! Well, it might not feel as good, but yoga has the same effect thanks to a spike in GABA. GABA stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid, and it plays a significant role in a person’s mood. Even better, bustle.com found a researcher who did a 12-week study and the results are interesting. According to the results, people who did yoga for three hours a week had 27% more gamma-amino acid compared to walkers.
And Cuts Out Chemicals At The Same Time
Yoga is that good for mental health that it can do two things at once. As well as flooding the brain with amino acids which are mood enhancers, it clears away the nasty stuff. Have you ever heard of cortisol? If you haven’t, you will have come across it in some form because it is the chemical associated with stress. Obviously, the more that is in your system, the higher the stress levels will be. Aside from clearing your mind, it also reduces cortisol levels. Studies by a German team show that women with mental illnesses were less stressed after months of regular yoga. As ncbi.nlm.nih.gov points out, this is most likely due to a decrease in cortisol.
Fortifies The Brain
And this is not an exaggeration. Firstly, research suggests that yoga helps to strengthen brain tissue. Therefore, regular stretching makes the mind stronger. So, the likelihood of contracting an illness is lower. Think of it as a strong immune system versus a weak one. More mind boggling is the study which suggests yoga literally helps the brain grow. Research by the NCCAM found that the hippocampus was larger in yogis. Before you scoff, just know that the ‘campus is the area of the mind that deals with anxiety. And, if that isn’t enough, the somatosensory cortex tends to be larger, too. It is thought the growth in brain size can help a person deal with everything from self-esteem issues to problem-solving.
Enhances Cerebral Cortex
There is a good chance you have no idea what “cerebral cortex” means, and you won’t be the first person. In layman’s terms, it is the area of the brain that deals with processes such as memory and decision-making. It won’t be a surprise to hear that yoga helps in this area, but how? It’s down to cortical folding. Normally, folds aren’t appealing, but they are great for the brain. Yoga and meditation help with the production of cortical folding through gyrification. In the long run, it helps keep the brain and mind youthful for longer. When this happens, your mental health won’t be at risk.
If you are worried about your mind, yoga is a no-brainer.