Yoga is increasingly becoming popular in the United States and around the world. What was dismissed as practice for those who believe in spirituality has been scientifically proven to produce mental and health benefits.
One positive effect of yoga is building self-esteem. When you do it regularly, you find yourself a lot more confident to go out, meet old and new friends, and chase after your dreams.
If you are unconvinced, here are the ways that yoga can improve your relationship with yourself.
Yoga Improves Health Conditions
Do you experience chronic pain from sitting in front of the computer for several hours every day at work? Yoga can help.
There is growing evidence that the regular practice of yoga can fight chronic pain. In one study, 42 individuals who have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome were asked to do yoga for eight weeks or received a wrist splint as treatment. Those who did yoga reported reduced pain and improved their grip strength better than those in the wrist splint group.
Yoga can also act as a non-surgical scoliosis correction. A patient can try poses that lengthen and strengthens the muscles around the spine, which will ease tightness and pain. It also improves flexibility and mobility.
When you feel healthier, you would not have to cancel your plans or cut a night out short because you have a backache. You will be more confident to spend time with others, knowing that you are strong and healthy.
Before you start doing yoga or any other exercise, consult your doctor if you have been diagnosed with a health condition.
Yoga Improves Your Appearance
Exercise, in general, can make you more confident. When you exercise, your physical appearance improves. You will notice that your skin is glowing, your hair is shinier, and you get to fend off excess weight. Changes in your body will make you more confident.
Yoga does the same. It may look easy, but different poses engage multiple muscles all over your body at once. It is not as high impact as running or cycling, but by the end of the session, the stretching and lifting will get your heart pumping and your skin sweating. With regular practice, your arms, waist, thighs, and legs will be taut.
Yoga Relieves Stress
Stress harms your mental health. It can also severely affect your self-image. For one, stress can manifest in physical symptoms, including acne, which will cause your self-esteem to drop. However, another effect of stress is a reduction in your enjoyment of the things around you.
If you are stressed, you will not notice the good things happening to you. That is because your serotonin, which is involved in regulating your mood, is reduced. Instead, it is replaced by high amounts of cortisol, the hormone responsible for your body’s fight or flight response. As a result, you will always feel on-edge and unhappy.
Yoga, however, fights stress by reducing levels of cortisol and boosting levels of serotonin. If you are happier and more optimistic, you will feel more confident to face no matter what challenges the world may throw at you every day.
Yoga improves your body and mind. It shows you what you are capable of, elevating your self-image and making you confident. It teaches you to have a more harmonious relationship with yourself.
