It’s not a secret that regular exercise is the foundation of well-being. It promotes physical and mental health, helps cope with stress, and builds resilience. That’s why it is particularly vital for college students. In this guide, you’ll learn about the benefits yoga can offer to students.
Why exercises are important
Although students often hear about physical activity, many of them tend to disregard this advice. College lifestyle has to do with a lot of sitting behind a desk, long awake hours, and decent amounts of stress. It is not uncommon for students to pull all-nighters, eat junk food, and postpone their well-being to some other time.
All of that results in poor health, higher risks of developing specific conditions, and low academic performance. Although it might be hard to find time for exercise, it is a basis for optimum cognitive and physical performance. So it is often a matter of prioritisation. If a student struggles with finding time because of written assignments and college overload, there is a way to solve this issue.
For example, you can pay for paper to get professional assistance with your project. Professional authors can nail any topic or subject even on the shortest notice because they have years of experience in the field. They deliver writing, editing, and proofreading assistance for college students. So you can get immediate help with polishing your work to excellence. Or you can completely delegate the task to specialists and get some free time on your hands.
This is also a learning opportunity as you get to collaborate with the best paper writing services, which means expert guidance and advice on academic writing. This can be a lifesaver if you are experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety. Prolonged stress might result in academic burnout and more serious mental conditions if not addressed properly.
This is where yoga comes in handy. Although all types of physical activity are beneficial, yoga is one of the best choices for students. Here are the main reasons why you might want to try it:
- It is accessible for people even with zero experience, as there are plenty of beginner-friendly exercises;
- It does not require much equipment, tools, or space to do;
- You can do it during study breaks at home;
- There are plenty of apps and tutorials available for free;
- There are exercises for all types of muscle groups.
It is much more than just physical activity because it connects the body and mind and offers breathing exercises.
How yoga can help students
It improves physical health and energy levels
One of the great advantages of yoga is that it can be a low-intensity training. Such activity boosts the level of energy instead of making you tired. So if you do a yoga break for 15 minutes during a long study session, you will feel recharged and more energised.
Also, yoga offers physical health benefits, namely:
- Decreased risk of coronary diseases;
- Heart rate stabilisation;
- Better cardiovascular function;
- Promoted muscle strengths;
- Safe decompression of the spine;
- Overall fitness.
It is versatile and can be adjusted to all bodies, experience levels, and goals. That’s why it is accessible to various groups of students.
It improves mental health
It is hard to underestimate the importance of mental well-being for college students. They deal with constant stress and need to take appropriate action to combat it. Yoga is one of the best exercises to boost mental health and overall well-being.
It is tightly connected with proper breathing techniques that help reduce stress and anxiety. Another aspect of it is meditation, which has also proven to be a great way to become calmer and more focused. Regular yoga practice reduces stress and allows for building resilience to it for the future.
It promotes better sleep
Long hours of brain activity and studying can result in worsened sleep patterns. Caffeine, poor diet, irregular sleep, and blue light from screens also add to this problem.
A lot of these factors can be reduced but not taken away completely. Yoga practice can assist with better sleep. A relaxing training for 15-20 minutes ensures your body is relaxed and ready for rest. It is important to opt for low-energy and stretching poses instead of energising ones.
It boosts cognitive performance
Another factor in academic success and students’ well-being is cognitive performance. Overall, regular exercises ensure effective brain development and optimal performance. Yoga also ensures a healthier nervous system with meditation practices.
It can also enhance memory, problem-solving, and creative thinking. If you do it 20 minutes before the study session, you can boost your concentration. Yoga promotes discipline and focus. And when done regularly, it provides a clearer mind and a more positive attitude in general.
It promotes mindfulness
When paired with meditation and breathing exercises, it becomes a vital part of well-being. It ensures not only physical activity but better self-esteem and higher confidence. Yoga can help you stay in shape and feel better overall.
It also is an introspective practice that gives students more time to reflect on their needs, wants, and responsibilities. And it can be a great bonding experience as it connects you with a community of like-minded individuals. Even if you practise at home alone, there are plenty of online communities and forums to reach out to others.
It improves balance and flexibility
As it involves all muscle groups, it is perfect for cross-training or improving one’s flexibility and strength. It is also amazing at training balance because of the various poses you need to hold. When done regularly, it can significantly improve posture and reduce back pain. This is essential for those who spend a lot of time sitting daily.
In conclusion
Yoga is one of the best options for students looking to boost their physical and mental health. It is accessible to almost anyone and offers full-body exercises. And the best part is you can practise it at home for 15 minutes a day and still get great results. In combination with meditation and breathing exercises, it reduces stress and promotes a better mental state.
Featured image: Mikita Karasiou/Unsplash
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