Yes, yoga is proven to reduce your anxiety. But not in the way you think
Aficionados of yoga claim that it can manage stress, enhance mental well-being, improve sleep and balance. We take a look at whether this is actually true.
Yoga involves postures (called ‘āsanas’) and regulated breathing exercises (called ‘prānāyāmas’). Various studies suggest that breathing coupled with conscious movement canbalance the autonomic nervous system(ANS),reduce cortisol levelsand provide a sense of wellbeing.
The ANS contains the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. When you’re stressed, the sympathetic nervous system releases stress hormones, which can trigger the ‘fight or flight’ response, causing an imbalance in the ANS. But research carried out by the Boston University School of Medicine, New York Medical College and Columbia University, found thatyoga has the potential to decrease stress by balancing the ANS.
In yoga, your breathing must be controlled, and by breathing slowly and deeply you can increase the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which can help you feel calmer. Breathing deeplysends an activation signal to the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the ‘rest and digest’ response, which counteracts the effects of the ‘fight or flight’ response.
2019年的一项研究在澳大利亚但书d that another benefit of yoga is connectedness; a shared experience and a safe space to connect with oneself and others. Other benefits, such asimprovements in attention and memory,支持科学,但应对压力,反对scious breathing is a crucial element.
Read more:
- Yoga found to reduce symptoms of anxiety in adults
- Anxiety stopping you sleeping? Here’s how to overcome bedtime worries, according to a psychologist
- Why does drinking alcohol trigger my anxiety?
- Are there any genetic factors that affect seasonal depression?
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Authors
Valentina is a Science Journalist for BBC Science Focus. She holds an LLB with a minor in Human Rights from the Pontifical Xaverian University. Valentina also has an M.A. (distinction) in Journalism from the University of the West of England. Her interest in science and the environment started during her undergraduate studies when she researched the intersection between international law and sustainable fashion, as well as the impact of artisanal mining in Colombia. She is the Climate and Sustainability Editor for Bristol 24/7 and has worked showcasing the cities’ grass-root organisations, activists, and businesses pushing for change.
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