Yoga is a great way to calm the mind and to stay fit. And according to research, it may also help older women overcome menopause-related insomnia.
In a Science Daily feature, researchers from the MsFLASH (Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms of Health) Network worked with 249 healthy but sedentary older women in order to look for more natural alternatives to medication in relieving menopausal symptoms. The participants were asked to either do yoga, aerobic exercises, or neither.
The researchers fouund that yoga was somehow able to improve the quality of sleep of the participants and lessen the symptoms of depression. Exercise also slightly improved sleep quality and mood. However, both didn’t seem to have any effect on hot flashes or night sweats.
For older women looking for a way to get fit and fight menopausal symptoms at the same time, it may be a good idea to sign up for the next yoga class in your area. It’s a great way for you to learn something new, to meet new people, and to feel better about yourself and your health.
(Photo by lululemon athletica via Flickr Creative Commons)
