Yoga and meditation could help you get that promotion, new research suggests.
Just 25 minutes of stretching and mindfulness improves people’s goal-directed behavior, a study found.
Yoga and meditation also boost brain function, emotional control and energy levels, the research adds.
Lead author Kimberly Luu from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, said: ‘There are a number of theories about why physical exercises like yoga improve energy levels and cognitive test performance.
‘These include the release of endorphins, increased blood flow to the brain and reduced focus on ruminative thoughts. Though ultimately, it is still an open question.’
Yoga and meditation boost brain function, emotional control and energy levels (stock image)
How the research was carried out
The researchers had 31 participants complete 25 minutes of Hatha yoga, 25 minutes of mindfulness meditation and 25 minutes of quiet reading in a randomized order.
Hatha yoga is one of the most common styles of the exercise practiced in western countries. It involves physical postures and breathing exercises combined with meditation.
Mindfulness mediation involves observing thoughts, emotions and body sensations.
Study author Professor Peter Hall said: ‘Hatha yoga and mindfulness meditation both focus the brain’s conscious processing power on a limited number of targets like breathing and posing, and also reduce processing of nonessential information.’
Yoga and meditation boost brain function and emotional control
Results reveal that just 25 minutes of yoga and meditation a day boost brain function, improve goal-directed behavior and increase a person’s ability to control their emotional responses.
Additionally, the findings show yoga in particular, but also meditation, boosts a person’s energy levels.
Ms Luu said: ‘There are a number of theories about why physical exercises like yoga improve energy levels and cognitive test performance.
‘These include the release of endorphins, increased blood flow to the brain and reduced focus on ruminative thoughts. Though ultimately, it is still an open question.’
Professor Hall added: ‘Although the meditative aspect might be even more important than the physical posing for improving executive functions, there are additional benefits to Hatha yoga including improvements in flexibility and strength.
‘These benefits may make Hatha yoga superior to meditation alone, in terms of overall health benefits.’
The findings were published in the journal Mindfulness.