On International Yoga Day, we’ve listed some benefits of this age-old practice. Read on to know why we should embrace good health with yoga!
How can some weird poses help you lead a healthier life? Well, yoga is not just about some physical poses. It’s a lot more. Yoga involves controlled breathing, meditation, body movements, and chanting. Regular yoga practice is also known to improve your overall health.
What are the benefits of yoga?
Mental Health Benefits
1. Yoga provides stress relief
Daily life events that feel overwhelming may cause stress. Our professional lives, financial issues, and household responsibilities can skyrocket our stress levels.
Studies show that yoga significantly reduces stress and anxiety levels. Yoga poses and meditation can calm your tense mind and make you feel at ease.
2. Yoga boosts your mental health
Major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental health problems. You might feel sad, low, and irritated for days at a stretch.
Curing depression might require psychotherapy and medication. But a 2017 study showed that yoga is an effective alternative treatment for depressive symptoms. (Kenko recommends speaking with an expert and taking an informed decision).
Yoga can make you feel better even if you aren’t suffering from clinical depression. For instance, yoga asanas and breathing exercises can uplift your mood whenever you feel low.
Physical Health Benefits
1. Yoga increases flexibility
Flexibility is a crucial component of our physical health. The more flexible we are, the lesser the chances of aches and pains. That’s why you find older adults developing muscle and joint pains.
Now you understand the importance of all those weird poses. Most yoga asanas boost your flexibility, keeping you active and fit.
Research has also found that yoga significantly improves flexibility in older people.
2. Yoga reduces asthma symptoms
Asthma affects more than 300 million people worldwide. It leads to difficulty breathing and a feeling of tightness in the chest. And it can be life-threatening in some cases.
Your doctor might suggest medications and inhalers to control the symptoms. But yoga is super effective in relieving asthma symptoms.
Studies found that yoga reduces asthma symptoms and improves the quality of life in patients.
Include yoga and breathing exercises in your daily routine if you suffer from respiratory problems. You will feel the change and lead a better life.
3. Yoga may reduce inflammation
Chronic inflammation can lead to other diseases like arthritis and cardiovascular problems. So, inflammations that take time to heal are a cause of concern.
Several studies have shown that yoga asanas can reduce the markers of chronic inflammation. Thus, it can also cure or prevent severe diseases.
If you’re living in a metro, the alarming rate of pollution, an affinity for junk food, and a sedentary lifestyle pose severe threats to your health. Making yoga a part of your daily life will keep diseases at bay.
Convinced that yoga helps mind and body both? How about you also get a health plan that helps your money and body both? Check them out here.