Yoga can be one of the most relaxing activities you can engage in. Gentle stretching and relaxing the mind can help relieve stress and help the body become more flexible and balanced.
Although you may not even break a sweat after practicing yoga, its benefits extend far beyond calorie burning. Yoga can help support overall well-being and nurture your weight management goals.
Here are four benefits of yoga that can help you on your weight loss journey.
- Yoga improves mindfulness. This can be very helpful if you’re an emotional eater. Taking a moment to be mindful before picking a food to eat can help you determine if you’re really hungry or full.
- Yoga improves sleep patterns. A report by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health found that more than 55% of people who practice yoga say their sleep improved. Quality of sleep is closely related to how you control your appetite. Lack of sleep can lead to overeating. Yoga can help keep this balance.
- Yoga can improve your mood and reduce stress. When your mood is good, you’re more able to make healthier lifestyle choices. Yoga can also control the level of stress hormone in the body, which, when high, can lead to emotional eating.
- Yoga improves flexibility and eases pain. Being immobile or in physical pain to lead to a more sedentary lifestyle. Stretches in yoga can improve mobility, allowing you to engage in more physical activity.