Exploring the Effects of Yoga on Self-Esteem and Emotional Well-Being in Stressed College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The increasing prevalence of mental health issues highlights the need for effective, accessible interventions to promote psychological well-being. Despite the known benefits of physical activity on mental health, the specific impact of yoga on self-esteem and emotional states remains underexplored. This study bridges this gap by implementing a well-designed yoga protocol for participants and evaluating its psychological impact on self-esteem and scores from the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). A total of 70 participants were divided equally between a yoga group (N = 35) and a control group (N = 35) to analyze the effect of yoga on psychological well-being. The results indicated a significant improvement in self-esteem, an increase in positive affect, and a substantial reduction in negative affect among the yoga group participants compared to the control group. This research indicates that yoga may effectively improve self-esteem and regulate emotional states, highlighting its viability as a useful psychological therapy.