Yoga Nidra as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Improving Mood
Main Article Content
Keywords
EEG, Yoga Nidra, Mood, Sleep
Abstract
Introduction: Yoga Nidra has gained recognition as an effective intervention for stress and anxiety. This study investigated the therapeutic (psychological and physiological) effects of Yoga Nidra, focusing on its impact on mood and engagement.
Methods: Twenty-one participants (N=21, 6 males) underwent a 30-minute Yoga Nidra session while wearing EEG headbands and wristbands to monitor brainwave activity, heart rate variability, and electrodermal activity. Mood changes were assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS).
Results: The results revealed that engagement during the practice, characterized by increased alpha and high beta brainwave activity, was associated with improved mood, including heightened vigor, reduced confusion, and reduced fatigue. Conversely, deeper sleep stages, indicated by theta and delta activity, correlated with poorer mood outcomes, such as increased tension and confusion. Additionally, longer sleep durations during the session were inversely related to alpha wave power and positively related to high beta wave power, highlighting the nuanced interplay between relaxation and engagement.
Conclusions: Combined, these findings suggest that Yoga Nidra's psychological benefits are optimized through active participation rather than transitioning into sleep states. The study underscores Yoga Nidra's potential as a non-pharmacological therapeutic intervention for improving short-term mood states.
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