The Role of Yoganidra in the Management of Stress among University Going Students

Abstract

Stress among university going students has become a major psychological and public health concern due to academic workload, social adjustment difficulties, competitive environments, emotional instability, and uncertainty regarding future careers. Persistent stress negatively affects mental health, emotional well-being, academic performance, sleep quality, and overall quality of life among students. Therefore, there is growing interest in safe, cost-effective, and non-pharmacological approaches for stress management. Yoga Nidra, commonly referred to as "yogic sleep", is a guided relaxation and meditation technique that induces deep physical, mental, and emotional relaxation while maintaining conscious awareness. The present narrative review aims to explore the role of Yoga Nidra in the management of stress among university-going students. Relevant literature for the present narrative review was collected from peer-reviewed scientific databases and indexing platforms including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Research Gate, and Mendeley and other scientific databases. focusing on Yoga Nidra and student mental health. The review discusses the origin and philosophical background of Yoga Nidra, its neurophysiological mechanisms, and scientific evidence regarding its therapeutic effects on stress and psychological well-being. The reviewed studies consistently reported that Yoga Nidra significantly reduces stress, anxiety, worry, and depressive symptoms among students. Research findings also demonstrated improvements in mindfulness, emotional intelligence, sleep quality, self-esteem, and general well-being following regular Yoga Nidra practice. Neurophysiological evidence suggests that Yoga Nidra activates parasympathetic dominance, reduces sympathetic over activity, modulates stress hormones, and promotes psychophysiological balance. The review concludes that Yoga Nidra is an effective mind-body intervention for stress management among university students and may serve as a valuable complementary approach for improving mental and emotional health.