Yoga and its benefits to students

Students who are engaged in professional courses are under stress and especially medical students.  The medical curriculum is rated as highest, and many students have experienced a significant increase in stress and anxiety.  Thus, the lifestyle of these students seems to be disorder and it affects their health as well.

As you know, yoga is one of the most wonderful gifts India has given to humankind. Yoga is being practised in many countries of the world and gaining wide acceptance and popularity. 

A study is observed that higher levels of stress among medical students than in the general population.  As the medical profession is physically demanding and they are the future and nurture of the nation as a whole.  They may be in the various fields of profession like the dentist, physician, surgeon, anesthesiologist, cardiologist, neonatologist, dermatologist, neurologist, etc.

The most affected body areas among them are the neck, shoulder and back regions; it is important to strengthen the muscles in those areas.  Now yoga practice can be a source of a potential treatment for chronic lower back pain.  It is found that undergraduate students and post‑graduate students reported body pain in at least one region. The most prevalent pain locations are the chest/shoulder, head/neck, middle back and right hand.

The inclusion of regular practice of yoga can have a significant change in the lifestyle allowing them to maintain their health as well as relieving them from their day‑to‑day stress.  It is crucial to know the awareness levels about yoga and its benefits amongst medical undergraduate and post‑graduate students towards ensuring physical, mental and psychological well‑being.

No doubt the medical students are in a physical and mental state of mind because this profession is demanding so much as well as they experience the problem related to posture.  Their body ache and lower back pain are the most prevalent and practicing yoga give physical and mental benefits also.

An awareness program or sensitization program on yoga should be conducted among dental undergraduate and post‑graduate students so that the results can be analysed and used to gain the utmost benefits to students.

Keeping in mind the fact that medical students of various professions are more prone to stress and back pain.  Knowledge and awareness about yoga and its benefits can play an immensely significant role in one’s life.  A sensitization program on the benefits of yoga shall be planned in small groups and the students should be motivated to take up yoga in their daily life.