We all know that exercise has countless benefits when it comes to our physical health, even if you canonly fit in 30 minutes at a time, and we're becoming increasingly aware that it's good for our mental health, too. See: calisthenics and walking beingbeneficial for those suffering from anxiety. But aside from helping to alleviate depression and anxiety, it turns out that one other particular form of fitness can help do awholelot more. We're talking helping you to make better decisions and even multitasking.
Yep, a team of researchers from theUniversity of Illinoisanalyzed 11 different studies on themental benefits of yogaand noticed some rather interesting patterns. Each of the studies required participants to undergo an MRI scan too, to really see what was going on inside their heads.
"We saw increases in the volume of the hippocampus [an area of the brain involved in memory processing and is known to shrink with age] with yoga practice," said kinesiology and community health professor Neha Gothe, who co-lead the study.
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Not only that, but the amygdala (another area of the brain which helps to regulate emotion) was found to be larger in yoga practitioners—ditto the prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex and brain networks.
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"The prefrontal cortex, a brain region just behind the forehead, isessential to planning, decision-making, multitasking, thinking about your options and picking the right option," explains psychology professor Jessica Damoiseaux, from Wayne State University, who also co-lead the research. Meaning, in theory, if that area is larger in those who are massively into yoga, then they may have a better capacity to think rationally—and, for example, would choosenotto double text the last person they went on a date with, or to delete that hastily-typed angry email to a colleague.
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The results of analyzing these 11 studies also showed that yogis perform better on cognitive tests and measures of emotional regulation. "In one of my previous studies, we looked at how yoga changes the cortisol stress response," said Gothe. "We found that those who had done yoga for eight weeks had a reduced cortisol response to stress, that was associated with better performance on tests of decision-making, task-switching and attention." Again, a good sign that yoga could help with exams and revision.
It's important to note though, that while these findings are positive, it's still early days and more thorough research needs to be done. “The science is pointing to yoga being beneficial for healthy brain function, butwe need more rigorous and well-controlled studies to confirm these initial findings,” notes Damoiseaux.
So there you have it. The latest science news suggests that if you want to make better choices, e.g. swiping left to that fit-but-definitely-a-player profile on Bumble (maybe) or walking away from those stunning-but-wholly-unnecessary new Nike sneakers (possibly), it could be time to hit the yoga mat. Namaste, my friends.
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