The daily stress in professional and personal life often comes out in the form of rage. This unrestricted anger in turn wreaks havoc on not just your health, it also makes it difficult for you to maintain relationships. If you suffer from unrestricted bouts of anger and mood swings, it is time you should give yoga for mood a serious consideration.
Yoga is not just another way to stay fit. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit language which means union of mind and body. In other words, yoga is a holistic approach to form a solid mind-body connection. The numerous asanas, breathing techniques, and meditation helps you unlock the hidden potential and maintain a good mood.
That said, let us now understand the link between yoga and mental well-being.
Yoga & Psychological Well-Being – The Link
It has been proven numerous times that yoga offers you countless physical health benefits like improved strength and flexibility. What is often overlooked are the psychological or mental health benefits of yoga, which include;
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Improved concentration and mental clarity
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Improved creativity
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Increased emotional stability
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Improved sleep quality
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Reduced depression and anxiety
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Better self-awareness and self-acceptance
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Decline in self-destructive behavior
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Positive perspective of others
Do you know the benefits of the three major yoga practices? Yoga experts have come up with a detailed explanation on how yoga for mood is a good choice.
Yoga Practices & Their Effect On Mood
Given below are three major practices of yoga and their impact on your overall well-being and mood.
1. Yoga Asana
In yoga culture, the body is seen as the external manifestation of your mind. This means you can influence the mind by practicing specific body postures. Moreover, your entire perspective about your body, thoughts, and sense of self changes once you kickstart a yoga practice.
Yoga postures purify, strengthen, and balance the various systems in your body. Every yoga posture is a type of meditation in motion that calms your mind and improves your concentration. Moreover, daily practice of yoga for mood helps you release emotional stress and tension.
2. Meditation
Meditation is the best form of internal dialogue that brings your mind’s attention towards the senses, step back from your thoughts and feelings, and live in the present. In yogic lifestyle, there are two types of meditation including concentrative and mindfulness meditation. Both of these meditation techniques help you develop the ability to just observe a situation without reacting to it.
3. Breathing
The yogic breathing exercises decrease arousal which keeps your mind calm and focus on the task at hand. It oxygenates your blood, reduces anxiety and stress, and helps you think clearly in any situation. The intense concentration and body control free your mind from worry and fatigue. It is a major reason why you should give yoga for mood a try.
Now, let us check out how doing yoga keeps your mood happy and bright.
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3 Ways How Yoga Improves Your Mood
As stated above, different yoga practices offer you a chance to enjoy a healthy life without the use of medications.
Keeping that in mind, given below are three mental benefits of making yoga a part of your everyday life.
1. Daily Yoga Changes The Brain Chemistry
You might think it takes years of dedicated yoga practice before you start seeing any progress, however, that is not the case. Numerous scientific studies have shown how just an hour of yoga session improves your brain’s Gamma-Aminobutyric (GABA) levels. The higher the GABA levels, the less depression and anxiety you have.
2. Breathing Makes You Happy
Each yoga session includes an element of breathing to help you relax. Many research studies have shown how the ability to breath deeply lowers your stress levels and make you happy. It is why you should include yoga for mood asanas in your daily life.
3. Improves Your Mood
Do you know that daily practice of yoga asanas improves your mood in the long run? The simple act of changing your body posture helps change your mood from angry to happy. The body sends a signal to the brain that it is okay to relax.
However, for you to reap these benefits you do need to practice the right yoga asanas.
Also read: 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training In India
3 Yoga Asanas For Better Mood
Yoga experts from around the world have come up with three simple asanas to help you develop a positive mood.
1. Wide Legged Forward Fold Pose
An effective mood-boosting yoga asana that helps you get rid of all negative thinking and feelings. This is one of the best yoga asanas that creates a quite space in your mind and helps you focus inwards.
2. Mountain Pose
Mountain Pose is one of the best yoga for mood asanas that increases awareness of your mind-body connection. It improves your ability to be mindful and be in the present moment, which takes away worries of the past or future and improves your mood.
3. Dog Down Crunch Pose
Dog Down Crunch Pose is similar to the Downward Dog Pose, which helps you get rid of stress and mild depression. The difference here is you bend one knee to work on the core muscles.
Conclusion
Do you feel down in the dumps every day? Enroll in a certified yoga school and learn these yoga for mood asanas to get rid of the grumpiness.
Read more: Things That Make Yoga Institute Worth It