Yoga is an ancient practice, with multiple benefits over general health. From a physical perspective, it helps us stay flexible and tone our muscles. But yoga is a practice that also speaks to the soul, helping us maintain an excellent mental health.
In this article, you will discover how having a Zen yoga routine can help you release anxiety and stress. We all go through difficult periods and it is always important to have a solution to release some of the accumulated pressure. Yoga is easy to practice and it does not have any side-effects. It will help you become calm and achieve the much-needed peace of mind.
Yoga teaches you to still your mind
Anxiety is often present in those who have the tendency to over think things. Yoga teaches you to still your mind and not give into negative thoughts. As you will concentrate on your deep breathing and focus on the different postures, you will achieve peacefulness and feel better from a mental point of view.
You will also learn to shut out everything and concentrate exclusively on what you are doing. As a beginner, you can choose poses or movements that are easy to achieve. What matters is that you stay in the moment and do not rush to finish. Be present.
Yoga brings calm
We all live stressful lives. From early morning to night, we go from one activity to the other, often taking no breaks. This fast-paced style of living is making us anxious. If you think it is time for a change, you can begin your days with your yoga routine.
Yoga will bring a state of calmness, helping you to no longer feel anxious or overwhelmed. If needed, you can perform your favorite poses during the day as well and, thus, center yourself. There is a clear connection between yoga and meditation, so do not hesitate to give these two practices a try.
Yoga is a relaxing activity
When our lives are out of balance, we have reduced stress resilience. In turn, this leads to stress and causes us to feel on the edge, with anxiety levels rising. The practice of yoga has a wonderful effect on the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing us to breathe and finally relax. Gradually, we begin to release the accumulated tension and feel better overall.
It is also essential to know that the activation of the above-mentioned system can contribute to the release of endorphins, which will helps us achieve a positive state of mind (as they are known as happiness hormones). The deep breathing can help with both stress and anxiety relief.
Yoga can help you get over a panic attack
People who suffer from anxiety can experience panic attacks, which are characterized by an unexplained state of fear, agitation and other physical manifestations (increased heart beat, profuse sweating). Having a yoga routine can help one get over a panic attack and even prevent them from occurring.
A daily yoga routine blends relaxation with deep breathing, allowing you to feel less anxious and stressed. However, if it does happen that you will suffer from a panic attack, try to remember the deep breathing you performed during your yoga routine. You can even try a few calming poses and you will be amazed at the results.
Yoga fills you with positive energy
In today’s modern world, there are millions of people who suffer from anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, these two often appear hand in hand, having a negative effect on the overall quality of life. The good news is that you can keep both of them at a safe distance, thanks to the beneficial effects of yoga.
The daily practice of yoga can fill you with positive energy. It has been proven[1] that such practices can stimulate the release of endorphins and other happiness hormones, allowing one to achieve and maintain a positive state of mind. So, you see, you can easily beat a poor mood with some of your favorite poses.
Yoga is all about adopting a slower pace
We wake up and eat breakfast while standing and checking social media. We hurry to our jobs and spend the entire day working, without even stopping to enjoy lunch. We go home and we are just as hurried to go through dinner and end the day. The fast pace takes a toll on our health, especially the emotional and mental one.
Yoga has a major benefit to offer, teaching us to adopt a slower pace. As we integrate it into our daily routine, we learn to slow down and be present in each moment. We find it easier to deal with the stress in our lives, as yoga brings peace of mind and its effects are there long after the session has ended.
Yoga releases accumulated tension
The majority of the jobs nowadays involve sitting behind a desk for several hours. Once again, we may or may not take a break, but the main idea is that this kind of works causes us to accumulate a lot of tension (especially in our backs and shoulders). Yoga is the perfect solution for tension release.
Anxiety and stress can make matters worse, causing us to accumulate even more tension. The practice of yoga counteracts all that, helping us release the muscular tension and feel amazing. Moreover, as this tension can impact mental health, yoga helps us lower the associated stress and escape the vicious cycle.
Yoga makes you aware of your body
We spend a long time concentrated on the tasks we need to complete, that we forget about our own bodies and their value. In turn, this leads to tension, stress and anxiety. Yoga does not only have a relaxing effect but it brings the much-needed body awareness and helps us be present in the moment, enjoying ourselves to the fullest.
By practicing yoga on a daily basis, you will no longer find it complicated to escape the accumulated tension, stress and anxiety. You will become more aware of your body and even of the places where you tend to accumulate the said tension. The practice of yoga can help you let go of that tension and enjoy a positive state of mind.
In conclusion, these are some of the ways in which the regular practice of yoga can help you release anxiety, as well as escape from stress and tension. If you are also battling depression, yoga can definitely be of help.
Of course, you can also pursue cognitive behavioral therapy and even take antidepressants. These will improve your mood and help you function in a healthy manner, but should only be taken under the supervision and at the recommendation of a specialist physician.
References –
https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/blog/yoga-poses-calm-your-mind/
https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5232/zen-yoga
