Terms associated with stress relief including meditation and breathing techniques are trending search topics in Google these days. No wonder, considering the current global situation. Corona has negatively impacted the mental makeup of people all over the world and has increased stress levels in many. Still, stress and its negative impacts have a much longer history.
Lifestyle changes in the past few decades have contributed to widespread stress. The present world is fast-paced and highly competitive. Naturally, the general tendency of people is to strive hard to stay in the race. This may lead to materialistic success but life is not just about how successful you are financially.
Depending on the type of stress and situation that causes stress, stress can produce positive or negative effects. Stress would have been very much a part of life since ancient times when man hunted for living. As mankind evolved, stress also has evolved in terms of its types and effects.
Recent years have witnessed more of negative impact of stress. In the 1950-s and 1960-s, depression owing to stress was a rare occurrence. But, in the 21-st century, stress and depression have been placed in the list of diseases that are serious threat to man's health.
How Does Stress Affect Health
Stress is a natural response by your body and mind to a tough situation. Stress hormones that are released during a tough situation increase your heart rate and blood pressure causing an increase in the flow of oxygen. Your immunity increases thereby aiding you to face and win challenges. The increase in stress hormone levels owing to a particular situation gets back to normal once you are out of danger. This can be related to the stress experienced by a player who is on the verge of victory in a tournament. The player's stress levels get back to normal after victory is achieved. Chronic stress, on the contrary, does not help stress hormone levels to get back to normal. This negatively impacts the body and mind.
Negative Impacts of Stress
Given below are some of the negative impacts caused by stress:
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Insomnia
- Breathing disorders including asthma
- High blood pressure
- Heart conditions
- Low immunity
- Ulcer
- Diabetes
- Changes in body weight, particularly loss of weight
- Lack of focus
- Lack of interest in socializing
- Lack of confidence
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Low tolerance levels
- Sense of sadness
How Does Yoga Relieve Stress
Yoga relaxes the nervous system and promotes calm. It helps the practitioner to handle negative emotions better.
Practicing yoga for stress relief helps to improve focus of the practitioner. Yoga develops mindfulness. Once the mind is tuned to staying in the moment, negative thoughts that trigger stress are relieved from mind.
Yoga calms the mind and promotes clarity of thought.
Yoga cures insomnia. The importance of having quality sleep can never be over stressed. Insomnia, which is caused by stress, can also cause increase in stress levels. According to various studies, practicing yoga poses on a regular basis will cure insomnia.
Yoga and breathing techniques promote deep breathing. Such deep breathing practices stimulate parasympathetic nervous system. While sympathetic nervous system prepare the body for fight or flight mode, parasympathetic nervous system promotes rest and relaxes the whole body thereby promoting inner calm.
Deep breathing pranayama techniques stimulate vagus nerve. Vagus nerve helps to relieve mood swings and stress.
Enrolling in yoga studios situated in a serene atmosphere will give a boost to your yogic practice and serve as a stress buster. This could also be an effective way to spend your holidays as it would be a blend of essentials - health care, family time and bonding with nature. You may want to visit this page for more details.
Yoga Poses for Stress Relief
Given below are the 15 most effective yoga poses for stress relief:
1) Lotus Pose
Visit this page for Lotus Pose benefits and instructions. Some yoga studios offer exclusive stress relief yoga sessions. In case you need support to help with handling stress better, you can look for professional yoga classes near you.
2) Standing Forward Bend
Visit this page for Standing Forward Bend benefits and instructions.
3) Warrior Pose 2
Visit this page for Warrior Pose 2 benefits and instructions.
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7) Cat Pose
Perform Cat Pose along with Cow Pose as a sequel as they are very effective stress relief yoga poses.
Visit this page for Cat Pose benefits and instructions.
8) Cow Pose
Visit this page for Cow Pose benefits and instructions.
9) Wide-Legged Seated Forward Fold
Visit this page for Wide-Legged Seated Forward Fold benefits and instructions. If placing your forehead on the floor is difficult you may use a yoga block to rest your forehead on.
13) Bridge Pose
Visit this page for Bridge Pose benefits and instructions.
14) Legs Up the Wall Pose
Visit this page for Legs Up the Wall Pose benefits and instructions.
15) Rest Pose
Visit this page for Rest Pose benefits and instructions.
Life has its ups and downs..joys and sorrows. Life is not a bed of roses. Still, it is our choice to indulge our minds in the beauty of the flowers or to be torn by the thorn. Let's choose happiness and be relieved from stress and depression to lead a quality life that is complete in every aspect. Yoga shows the way. Practice yoga poses for stress relief and stay happy.
Rama Thamizharasu
Welcome to yogaaatral. I am a yoga therapist, SEO consultant, writer and translator. If you love pets, we invite you to visit our pet blog @ https://voiceofapet.blogspot.com/ and our YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@PetsDiaryandMomsToo
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