Decades of study have observed that millennials across the globe experience high levels of stress and anxiety. A major contributing factor to this can be the pressure they feel from relationships, the fast-paced nature of their lives, technological advancements and high expectations from work, among several other reasons. These factors, in turn, negatively impact their mental health and overall wellbeing. And although millennials understand the mental struggles and challenges that they face, they find it hard to find solutions for many of these. This is where yoga, an ancient Indian practise, can help.
Indeed, yoga can be an ideal tool to help enhance mental health. The International Day of Yoga is observed on June 21st annually and it aims to highlight the benefits of practising yoga. It also helps raise awareness about the wonders yoga can do to one’s health and wellbeing. On this special day, join us as we explore how millennials can especially benefit from yoga.
Many millennials neglect their mental health in the everyday hustle of their lives. They choose to live from one day to the next instead of managing their wellbeing for the long run. But it has become more important than ever to take charge of one’s own wellbeing—whether it’s managing hereditary issues that include both physical and mental health, dealing with chronic pains and illnesses or maintaining general fitness to fight ageing, taking proactive steps is essential. Yoga with its unique approach, can be a powerful tool in this self-care journey for millennials.
Yoga offers a unique solution by addressing both the mind and body. While other forms of exercise like Zumba and kickboxing focus mostly on physical health, yoga aims to promote overall wellbeing. It keeps one fit while also reducing stress and anxiety, improving concentration and boosting energy levels.
Let’s face it, many of us tend to overlook our mental wellbeing, hoping things will improve over time. However, this approach can actually worsen our mental health and leave us feeling even more exhausted. Yoga makes a great addition to our routine—yoga encourages us to stay focussed and promotes a healthier and more balanced state of mind. Yoga’s impact on mental wellbeing is immense because it reduces stress hormones and increases the flow of healthy brain chemicals in the body, making us mentally calmer and more resilient.
What do you hear when you close your eyes? The constant buzz of notifications from your phone? The tapping of keys on your laptop? Or just the general chaos of the day? Well, you are not alone. A lot of us nowadays find it hard to feel peaceful or calm, even when on our own. A regular practice of yoga can develop in us a sense of calm and peace that cannot be brought externally. In fact, doing yoga can not only give us a break from our busy day through meditation and breathwork but also help us evolve into generally calmer people.
Several reasons contribute to the lack of sleep in humans. It can be stress, overthinking about our busy schedules and problems or simply a health issue. Yoga can be a game-changer here.
Add yoga into your routine to firstly calm your mind. Doing so regularly will then make it easier for you to fall asleep. Gentle stretching, meditation and deep breathing are also known to improve sleep quality in many. Over time, regular yoga can even gift you a proper sleep schedule!
As millennials now find themselves entering their forties, focussing on health has become more crucial than ever. Many in this age group report experiencing back pain, shoulder pain and other chronic issues that tend to become challenging as time passes. The breathing exercises in yoga can boost lung capacity and improve cardiovascular health, helping to ease some common physical problems that assail most of us. Further, yoga is known to reduce stress hormones in the body, making the mental health benefits count as well. Yoga is a gentle way to enhance overall fitness.
Our busy lives often keep us from socialising, leaving many of us feeling lonely and isolated. This is where yoga classes can be great. In fact, one of the most appealing aspects of yoga for millennials is the sense of community it creates.
When you join regular yoga classes, you get to connect with like-minded people and form friendships. This sense of belonging gradually erases loneliness and brings joy to your days.
For those millennials who find it difficult to go to a yoga class or adhere to class timings, online yoga classes are a boon. In fact, one of the many advantages of yoga is its accessibility. Further, online platforms have changed the way we treat fitness regimens by offering classes at times that suit our schedules. Such sessions allow us to practice yoga from the comfort of our homes, making it much easier to stick to a routine. One can even choose from a variety of programs to suit one’s exact needs.
To put it succinctly, millennials facing the pressures of modern life, chronic pains and illnesses can find solace and peace in yoga. By incorporating yoga into their daily routines, millennials can face challenges with ease and improve their overall mental wellbeing. This International Day of Yoga, lets vow to make yoga our lifelong companion!
International Day of Yoga is celebrated on June 21st annually.
Yoga is known to reduce stress, improve mental clarity and boost physical health in people.
Through breathing exercises and meditation, yoga can help calm the mind and body. If done regularly, yoga can even help people manage their anxiety and stress in the long run.
Unlike many other forms of exercise that primarily focus on physical fitness, yoga integrates physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
International Yoga Day highlights the importance of yoga and its benefits for health and wellbeing.
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