When most people think of exercise for their health, they probably think about running or lifting weights. These rigorous exercises certainly help, but people can reap outstanding benefits through yoga and meditation. The research is in, and it seems as though regular yoga and meditating can result in great health benefits for all kinds of people.
Emotional Enhancement
People who practice yoga routinely take advantage of several mental benefits. People report simply feeling better and happier than usual. Part of this can be attributed to the fact meditating allows people to unwind from a potentially stressful or overwhelming day. It can boost creativity and decrease anxiety. A simple 15-minute session can vastly improve a person’s outlook on life, so they can move forward with greater clarity of mind.
Better Flexibility
These days, many people have office jobs where they sit for hours on end. Several reports have come out stating how detrimental sitting for extended periods of time can be for a person’s health. Yoga is light exercise, but it gets you moving and promotes flexibility. This helps greatly if you regularly find yourself bending or lifting heavy objects, and yoga is also great for weightlifters. In fact, even if you do enjoy going on a run from time to time, you should incorporate yoga into your routine because it can make you an even better athlete.
Improved Diet
People who exercise regularly, and that includes yoga enthusiasts, typically have better diets than people who live more sedentary lifestyles. An explanation for this can be attributed to the fact that people who do yoga are more in tune with their body. They understand their bodies need certain things to function properly, such as a healthy plant-based protein powder or yummy vegan protein bars. A good exercise is useless without a healthy diet, and the two often occur hand-in-hand.
Reduced Blood Pressure
Several studies link regular yoga and meditation to a reduction in blood pressure. The correlation between the two is linked to the fact yoga makes the body less responsive to the body’s release of stress hormones. Yoga, combined with stress management tips and maintaining a healthy diet, can make a person less predisposed to developing hypertension.
Superior Immunity
Elderly citizens and individuals recovering from cancer treatments appear to have boosted immunity when they practice various meditative techniques. People who are stressed out more often are more likely to develop health problems than those who are more relaxed. Yoga is also good for a person’s joints, muscles, vital organs and respiratory system.
Lowered Risk of Anti-Inflammatory Diseases
Stress has been linked to numerous diseases, including but not limited to:
- Psoriasis
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Heart disease
Taking time out of the day to focus on everything good and relax can work wonders in the long run. Yoga helps with all these conditions because it enhances respiratory function, improves lung capacity and builds upon good cardiovascular health.
At the end of the day, all people can benefit by taking some time to unwind from the world and relax or to promote active recovery. Yoga can be done in a group or by yourself at home. It is a simple exercise to perform, and with only 15 minutes a day, anyone can start benefitting.
