How to Use Yoga to Better Deal with Stress
Use yoga to relax your body and mind.
Stress can manifest itself in many ways. Some of which we don’t notice until they’re full-blown issues. Unresolved stress can cause serious issues that affect your immune system, heart, and mental health.
Whenever I get stressed, small tasks seem so much harder to get done. My mind races and all of a sudden, I and the pile of dirty dishes in the sink have beef. I start to procrastinate (which only makes things worse) and let it affect my mental health. After a while, small tasks start to feel like mountains of work.
Luckily, there is an accessible and holistic way to help quell some of our stress.
Yoga always helps me recenter and focus. And I always feel much more capable of keeping things together after checking in on myself with a nice vinyasa.
If you are tense, feeling down, or are generally worried about life, yoga can help ease your body and mind by relieving tension and helping you find your center.
Yoga Is a Holistic Way to Exercise Your Body and Mind
Yoga connects mind and body in a unique way that few other exercise practices do. With an almost inseparable connection to meditation, yoga helps you ground and center yourself while also giving much-needed attention to your body.
While it may seem like glorified stretching to some, breathing and intentional mindfulness are what sets yoga apart from your everyday exercise and meditation.
Yoga Can Relive Tension in Your Body
Stress can make muscles tense and cause discomfort in your body. When left untreated it can cause more serious problems. But a regular yoga routine can help manage that tension.
Being in tune with your body is one of the many benefits of yoga. With the many elusive ways that stress can affect you, it helps that yoga forces you to pay attention to it.
Focus on the parts of your body that need the most attention. Take a moment before your practice to check in with yourself. Notice what feels uncomfortable or even unbearable and choose your poses and flows based on that.
For example, if your shoulders get tense when you're stressed focus on poses that stretch and strengthen the muscles that bother you.
This is particularly helpful if you sit at a desk for most of the day.
Connect Your Body and Mind with Yoga
Breath is the differentiator between yoga and other exercises. Shifting your focus to your breathing not only seems to make the exercise easier but can keep your mind off your stress through awareness.
Breath awareness can eliminate joint compression and other imbalances from one’s postures and attitudes. Awareness of breath is also the foundation for flowing seamlessly in movement through an Ashtanga Vinyasa practice. - Esther Ekhart
Deep breathing can help release tension and lower your heart rate. Syncing your breath and movement creates an almost meditative state that helps you reset your mind and connect you to your body.
6 Easy Yoga Poses to Help Relive Stress
The best part about yoga is that anyone can start. Many easy and helpful poses can help you relieve stress right now!
Here are a few easy poses to relieve tension and help you connect to your body.
Child’s Pose
This pose helps relieve tension in your back by lengthening your spine. This soothing position also calms your breath and helps with digestion.
Sit on your knees with your toes touching and reach your hands directly in front of you. Place your forehead on your mat and stretch deeper into the pose with each exhale.
Standing Forward Bend
This simple pose does not require you to touch your toes. It's more about stretching everything in between. You can feel the effects of this pose in all parts of your back and neck.
A forward bend paired with meditative breathing can help calm your head and relieve stress.
With a deep inhale, reach your hands above your head. Slowly bend as far forward as you can from your waist. Relax your neck and shoulders and let your head hang between your arms. You should feel this pose mostly in your back and hamstrings.
Banana Pose
The banana pose is like a stretch you may do when getting out of (or into) bed. This pose can be beneficial if you have back or pelvic pain. It can also help calm your nervous system and relax the muscles on your sides.
On your back, stretch your hands above your head with your arms on the floor. Interlock your fingers. Slide your arms and legs to one side (in a C shape) and give attention to your breathing.
This pose provides a deep stretch along the entire side of your body.
Bridge Pose
The bridge pose stretches your chest, neck, spine, and hips. It helps open your chest for easier breathing which can help ease stress and depression. This pose, when held, can also strengthen your butt and hamstrings.
On your back, bend your knees and lift your hips. Tuck. your chin and interlock your hands behind your back. Engage your thighs and feel the stretch.
Happy Baby Pose
The happy baby pose looks exactly how it sounds. This relaxing pose opens your hips and relieves lower back pain. This pose paired with intentional breathing can ease stress and anxiety by lowering your heart rate.
Lie flat on your back and bring your knees to your chest. Grab your feet and spread your knees. Gently rock side to side (like a baby) and feel the massage on your lower back.
Corpse Pose
Savasana, or corpse pose, is usually done at the end of your yoga session. This pose helps calm the brain after a yoga flow. This pose can help with headaches and fatigue. The corpse pose is a great segue into meditation and can also help you sleep better.
Relax onto your back, separate your legs and relax your arms alongside your body. Keep your shoulders back and tune into your breathing.
This should be a comfortable pose. Allow your body to feel the effects of the stretches and flows you just did.
Final Thoughts
Stress can manifest in many forms. Whether it's aches and pains or anxiety and mood swings, making yoga a part of your workout habit can do way more than get you in shape. It can help you deal with life’s challenges better and healthily.
What do you do to destress?
