Yoga and Mental Well-being Among University Students

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Dr. Bhola Shanker Dabral

Himalayan Meditation Institute

Ram Nagar, Rishikesh, India

ORCID id – https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0214-4310

Abstract— University students face substantial mental health challenges including elevated stress, anxiety, and depression rates substantially exceeding general population prevalence. Yoga, integrating physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation practices, represents accessible intervention potentially addressing student mental health needs. This manuscript examines research evidence regarding yoga’s effects on university students’ mental well-being, mechanisms explaining therapeutic benefits, and implementation factors affecting effectiveness. Meta-analytical evidence demonstrates that yoga interventions produce significant anxiety and stress reductions among student populations, with effect sizes comparable to conventional mental health interventions. Benefits extend to improved sleep quality, enhanced emotional regulation, and increased sense of well-being. However, implementation challenges persist including low participation rates, difficulty sustaining practice, and variable intervention quality across settings. This manuscript synthesizes literature examining yoga’s effectiveness for student mental health, identifies mechanisms explaining benefits, and addresses implementation barriers. Findings indicate that well-designed yoga interventions incorporating regular practice opportunities, qualified instruction, and integration with existing student support services substantially improve student mental health outcomes. However, yoga functions optimally as complementary approach alongside conventional mental health services rather than replacement. Future research must address diverse student population engagement, long-term sustainability of benefits, and cost-effectiveness relative to alternative interventions.

Keywords: yoga, mental health, anxiety, stress, university students, well-being, college mental health

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