Is Yoga Good for Stress Relief?
30th May 19
Yoga is an ever-growing fitness trend, and it’s a great one to get behind. There seem to be next to no downsides to it since it has so many mental and physical benefits, all rolled neatly into one exercise. It’s renowned for being a great source of well-being and relaxation as well as being a meditative exercise, but is it a good idea to try yoga for stress management?
The simple answer is yes. Every single component of yoga is a pillar of stress relief, looking at everything from the physiological movements all the way through to the psychological benefits that it offers. When you break it down further, these are the things that carry the most weight:
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Mindfulness
One of the biggest benefits that yoga has to offer you is how it encourages mindfulness. Mindfulness is a great way to learn how to centre yourself and really be present in the moment, without worrying about the past or the future, and just being mindful of where you are there and then. Mindfulness is one of the best ways to help relieve stress, as it helps put things into perspective. This way, you can take the time to just gather yourself and realise what you need to do at that moment. It’s a form of meditative exercise, and it’s renowned for being useful in managing mental well-being.
Breathing
It may seem obvious, but yoga is very centred on breathing. Whether you’re stressed about something that happened 10 minutes ago or you’re worried about something a year away, just taking time to focus on your breathing is an excellent way to control your nerves. Again, the emphasis here is on helping you find what you need right there and then. Irrational breathing can result in a range of problems like panic attacks and increased anxiety or stress, so focusing on breathing and breathing alone is a great way to manage yourself and your stress.
Exercise
At the end of the day, yoga is still exercise. You are moving and holding different areas of your body, and it’s actually a great workout. You’re pushing your muscles where they need to be pushed and building up your strength while you do it. That’s great! The amazing thing about exercise, including yoga for stress relief, is that you get a rush of endorphins, which is one of the biggest mental benefits. That’s an incredible way to relieve some tensions and help you perk up and feel good!
Easy & Natural
Finally, yoga is healthy and natural. You don’t need any fancy equipment or to be in amazing shape to practise yoga. You can use it whether you’re just starting out or whether you’re pushing yourself to really test your strength. All you need is yourself and some space. There are different poses for different things, meaning that you can mould your workout to what you need and do it whenever you want. This is perfect for a little bit of escapism. You have the freedom to work out how you want to and manage your stress in the ways that you know work best for you. It’s all about you as well as your surroundings.
Overall, these points are the big players in what makes yoga so useful in helping to deal with stress. It helps you to not only be a happier version of yourself but a healthier one too. Even just 10 minutes a day can make a world of difference and help you keep things calm and in perspective without life running away with you. Do what you enjoy, and the stress should drop. Just remember that stress is a natural part of life, and don’t stress about being stressed!
Before beginning any exercise or nutrition program, consult your physician, doctor or other professional. This is especially important for individuals over the age of 35 or persons with pre-existing health problems. Exercise.co.uk assumes no responsibility for personal injury or property damage sustained using our advice.
If you experience dizziness, nausea, chest pain, or any other abnormal symptoms, stop the workout at once and consult a physician or doctor immediately.
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