The Science Behind Yoga and Stress Relief

The popularity of yoga has skyrocketed in the recent past due to its well documented reputation for providing numerous health benefits. Between 2012, the percentage of people who practice yoga increased from 9.5% to 14.3% in adults and 3.1% to 8.4% in children (Nichols, 2019.) The more specific and popular motivating factor behind practicing yoga is to improve mental well-being.

While it has been reported by many that yoga has put their stress to ease, many do not understand why that is. When one is in a tense state or situation, stress hormones known as adrenaline and cortisol are released into the blood-stream. According to (Nichols, 2019) this release is not only a stress to the mind, but to the body as well. These hormones are capable of damaging blood vessels and increasing blood pressure. Fortunately, it has been proven that those who practice yoga tend to show consistently lower levels of cortisol in their bloodstream, and that the practice may reduce proinflammatory cytokines.

Yoga has been reported to majorly benefit those who struggle with anxiety. According to a study done in 2010, yoga shows a greater effect of improving one’s mood and anxiety more than walking. (Nichols, 2019.)This was suggested because those who struggle with anxiety and other mood disorders usually show lower levels of brain chemical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and the participants who fit this model experienced an increase in GABA activity when practicing yoga.

Finally, yoga can be life-altering for those who struggle will managing depressive symptoms. Depression being one of the most common struggles across people of all ages, yoga has been proven yet again to alleviate some of these negative feelings. THose who struggle with postpartum depression and depression during preganancy have also declared that partaking in yoga has helped clear their mind. In a student done in 2017, participants were split into two groups: those who would practice yoga and those who would continue to not do so. 2 months into the study the group of those who begun practicing yoga showed major improvements in mood and showed a reduction in depressive system, while the other group showed no improvement at all. (Nichols, 2019.) It has been concluded that this is because the practice again reduces stress hormones, such as cortisol.

*All information derived from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326414#depression