Medical students face high stress due to heavy workload, exams, and long hours, which can affect both mind and body. Yoga, a mind–body practice combining postures, breathing, and meditation, has been studied recently for its ability to reduce stress and improve physical markers linked to stress responses.
Several recent studies show that structured yoga practice can lead to measurable reductions in stress. In a 10-week yoga intervention among medical students at the University of Pécs, regular practice significantly improved markers such as higher immunoglobulin A (IgA) and increased HDL (“good cholesterol”), suggesting better immune and metabolic health alongside mental calm.
Another pilot study specifically on medical students, the Goodbye Stress with Yoga (GSY) trial, demonstrated a significant drop in self-reported stress, anxiety, and depression after yoga practice.
Research at Rani Durgavati Medical College reported a notable reduction in morning serum cortisol, a key physical marker of stress, in first-year MBBS students after several months of yoga practice.
Physiologically, yoga influences the autonomic nervous system by enhancing parasympathetic activity (the “rest and digest” response) and reducing sympathetic dominance, which is linked to stress. Changes in heart rate variability (HRV) after yoga indicate improvement in how the body manages stress responses. These effects reflect deep relaxation and improved nervous system balance.
The combination of asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and mindfulness encourages students to slow down, focus on the present, and regulate both breath and body. For medical students, this can reduce tension, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being during intense academic periods. While more research is ongoing, the current evidence supports yoga’s role as a low-cost, accessible tool that helps students manage stress both psychologically and physically. Regular practice may therefore be a valuable addition to wellness strategies within medical education.
MBH/AB