How Yoga Influences Mental Wellness for Female College Students

Abstract

In recent years, mental illness has become one of the most prevalent diseases in the world and one of the leading causes of disability and even death among young people between the ages of 15 and 29, most of whom are female college students. As one of the most complicated groups in society, female students are subjected to high levels of questioning and mental stress in their daily study and life, but they are unable to relieve themselves and can only make negative emotions pile up. Most of them report that mental illness not only makes them feel mentally uncomfortable but also affects their physical state and further negatively affects their school life and daily life; long-term use of medication for mental illness can also cause certain side effects. Yoga, on the other hand, as a more gentle sport that focuses on oneself and the combination of mind and body, has fewer side effects compared to drugs and reduces the stress caused by competitiveness than other sports. This paper explores different aspects of the feasibility and appropriateness of yoga as a treatment modality for mental illness among female college students, and results show that yoga practice can be an effective treatment for mental illness with minimal side effects, both in terms of nervous system regulation, physical state enhancement, self-regulation, and suitability for college students. Also, its long-term effect on suppressing negative emotions and stimulating positive emotions is the reason for recommending its use as a treatment method.