Can yoga and mindfulness improve your mental health? The quick answer is, yes. In addition to psychological (mental and emotional) well-being, it is important to consider your social and physical health. Managing your mental and physical health, with yoga and mindfulness can boost your overall well-being. More on that in a bit!
I have to say mental health can be a tough subject to talk about.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Now (and any month or day of the year) is a good time to shine a light on this topic that can impact you directly or indirectly. Sometimes events or experiences in life may impact you or your health in one way which can cause a domino effect with your:
- thoughts
- emotions
- behaviors
Think about this…The experience can be:
- heavy traffic on the way to work
- lack of sleep
- receiving a compliment
On another level, an experience or event can be:
- welcoming a baby/adopting a child
- recovering from an illness/injury
- starting a new job
- losing family/a friend
- celebrating a graduation
Life is filled with so many experiences. You may handle and process situations differently than the next person. Sometimes medical conditions can impact your mental health.
With my background in the mental health field, I encourage you to seek help from your medical provider if you have questions or need guidance about your mental health.
Some topics or mental health terms you may have heard about include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- ADHD
- Substance use
- PTSD
The reality is that people in general experience anxiety or worry and sadness (songs have been written about both!). The other reality is mental health can be a major challenge for some. Mental health and mental health disorders have been unfortunately stigmatized in the past. This topic may be avoided due to unfamiliarity, discomfort, or conflicting thoughts. Despite this, more recently well-known athletes and others in the public eye have spoken up about their own experiences with mental health. In the U.S., improvements have been made to help those facing suicidal thoughts or a crisis. They can receive assistance by texting or calling 988, as stated by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH).
You may be open to telling your mental health history to people you know, keep it private, or trust in a therapist. At times you may want to focus on what is going well. Remember whatever you are experiencing does not make you who you are. It is helpful to focus on your strengths and tools that can help you live your best life.
In general movement or exercise is a good tool that can improve your mental health. It’s a chance to focus on something besides your thoughts. Movement also helps oxygen and your blood flow to different parts of your body versus being stagnant. Specifically, yoga and mindfulness can help in major ways to:
- Focus on your breath
- Improve breathing
- Increase relaxation
- Focus on your movement
- Improve flexibility
There are also yoga poses and mindfulness exercises that help:
- improve your mood
- relieve stress
Yoga can do amazing things for you! It can be a great supplement if you already have an exercise routine. To join our email list and try out our yoga classes visit: https://freedomyogawithangelafranklin.com/
Don’t you think it would be great to boost your overall well-being?
Angela Franklin is a passionate yoga instructor, who wants to empower women to advocate to improve their holistic health. She also has a background in the medical, mental health, and fitness professions. She has a Master’s Degree and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. To get more information about yoga, wellness, and courses visit: https://freedomyogawithangelafranklin.com/