Effect of Short-Term Yoga Practices on Psychological General Well Being in Medical Students

The role of yoga in relieving medical student anxiety and stress

“…From the yogic perspective, the body and the mind are so interconnected that they are essentially inseparable. [ 14 ] Whatever affects the body must impact the mind and vice-versa. Since the mind exists throughout the body and pervades its every particle, the yogic techniques which are implemented to stretch, strengthen, and otherwise improve, and develop the body must have a correspondingly deep effect on the mind and the emotions as well.…”

“…Since the mind exists throughout the body and pervades its every particle, the yogic techniques which are implemented to stretch, strengthen, and otherwise improve, and develop the body must have a correspondingly deep effect on the mind and the emotions as well. [ 14 ]…”

“…[ 16 ] Deep relaxation and calming down of the mind lead to effective reduction in blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory rate by decreasing the amount of cortisol which typically increases during the body's response to stress. [ 14 ] Yoga, also, reduces the level of acetylcholine, which leads to the reduction in the sympathetic nervous system activity and increase in vagal activity. [ 14 ] As a result, it reduces psychological conflicts, suppressions, and hypersensitivities, which are recognized as the triggering factors for psychosomatic problems.…”

“…[ 14 ] Yoga, also, reduces the level of acetylcholine, which leads to the reduction in the sympathetic nervous system activity and increase in vagal activity. [ 14 ] As a result, it reduces psychological conflicts, suppressions, and hypersensitivities, which are recognized as the triggering factors for psychosomatic problems.…”

The psychosomatic impact of Yoga in medical education: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“… Prasad et al, 2016 [ 46 ] USA 27 med students 6 weeks Yoga reduces stress and increases feelings of peace, focus and endurance Simard and Henry, 2009 [ 47 ] Canada 16 med students 16 weeks Yoga decreases stress and improves general well-being Shankarapillai et al, 2012 [ 48 ] India 100 dental students 1 week Yoga reduces stress Sunita et al, 2022 [ 49 ] India 105 female med students 40 min, 12 weeks Yoga decreases anxiety, depression, and anger while increasing sense of wellbeing Bond et al, 2013 [ 50 ] USA 27 med students Once/week, 11 weeks Yoga increasing self-regulation and self-compassion. While not significant, it decreases perceived stress while increasing empathy Erogul et al, 2014 [ 51 ] USA 57 med students 20 min/day, 8 week Yoga decreased perceived stress and increased self-compassion Mehta and Taneja, 2013 [ 52 ] India 36 med students 1h/day, 4 weeks Yoga increases general well-being Kukade and K, 2022 [ 53 ] India 64 med students 1 h/day, 3 months Yoga significantly improves happiness, psychological wellbeing, mindfulness, spiritual well-being, and sleep. Alire et al, 2020 [ 54 ] USA …”