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International Day of Yoga takes on greater significance for population groups with chronic illnesses such as diabetes as the practice is known to be easily adaptable to individuals of varying fitness levels and it offers wide ranging health benefits. Physical activity is regarded as an essential component of any diabetes management strategy and yoga is perhaps the best choice as it is a gentle form of exercise that does not put stress on the joints. When practised at a higher intensity, yoga can even work as an aerobic exercise or cardio, which helps improve cardiorespiratory fitness and protects against heart disease.
Research gathered over several decades has only helped to confirm many of the health benefits of yoga for diabetes, but we’ll just focus on a few of the most notable benefits that make yoga particularly beneficial for diabetes patients.
Yoga For Diabetes: How It Helps Manage Diabetes
Builds & Preserves Strength
To preserve fitness levels and mobility as you age, it is important to build muscle mass and strength. Although yoga is mainly associated with flexibility and balance, it can also work as a form of strength training. Strength training benefits have been observed in several studies, irrespective of the age of participants.
Diabetes Diet Adherence
Yoga may seem to have no connection to a diabetes diet, but research shows that it can help individuals to better manage their eating behaviours and dietary choices. This effect is thought to be a result of yoga’s strong mind-body connection as it cultivates greater self-awareness. Mindfulness meditation and similar practices are also known to promote mindful eating, helping to prevent binge-eating and other eating disorders.
Promotes Mental Health
Living with diabetes can be incredibly stressful, which is why the condition is associated with a high risk of depressive and anxiety disorders. While any physical activity helps to lower stress and fight depression, yoga is particularly effective as it also includes practices such as meditation, breathing exercises, and chants, all of which have been proven to reduce stress. Research indicates that yoga can even be therapeutic for clinical depression.
Improves Balance
Balance doesn’t just help you practise challenging yoga poses, but offers another important benefit for diabetes patients, especially as they age. Aged diabetes patients are more vulnerable to falls because of nerve damage or neuropathy, as well as loss of balance associated with ageing. Research published in the International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research shows that consistent practice of yoga can even improve balance in an aged population.
This list is by no means comprehensive as there is evidence showing that yoga can benefit diabetes patients in many other ways too. It may help to reduce inflammation, boost immunity, improve sleep quality, promote brain function, strengthen bone health, and reduce burnout. To enjoy a wide range of yoga benefits for diabetes, it would be best to adopt a comprehensive yoga practice that includes not just asanas or physical postures, but other practices such as meditation, pranayama or breathing exercises, chanting mantras, and so on.
