Yoga
Stress is something that we will always encounter in our lives no matter what. With the constant flow of work or school to keep us busy, it can get overwhelming at times. It’s a pretty known fact that stress can have very negative effects on the mind and body, leading to affect the quality of life we live. While there are plenty of ways to lower stress levels, there is no magic solution that will banish it for good. Whether you want to improve your quality of life or you just want to pick up a new healthy hobby, yoga is most definitely something that could benefit everyone in many ways. Yoga is an age-old practice. Its main focus is on mindfulness and the correct way to breathe to calm and center the body. It has an incredible amount of benefits, but one of the most known is managing and reducing stress. You might be wondering how and why it’s good for this, and so we’ve gathered a few answers to those questions, so read on!
Stretching
One of the main focuses of yoga is, of course, stretching. It’s great for increasing flexibility as well as improving your balance. As a result, this can decrease tension in the body that builds up over time. Essentially, yoga can act the same way a soothing massage does and relax the body, reducing stress on the muscles and joints.
Release Endorphins
Just like any other exercise, yoga has a positive effect on the mind and body. It releases endorphins in the brain which improve your mood. In short, endorphins are a chemical that the brain releases that can result in a ‘runner’s high’. It means that when you work out, your mood can be elevated for the rest of the day as a result and even turn into a feeling of euphoria at times. It goes without saying that a good mood can relieve stress.
Breathing
Another important part of yoga is the breathing technique. Learning to breathe more effectively is huge in terms of stress management. Breathing directly relates to anxiety; as we get stressed out or anxious, our breathing can become shallow and rapid. Controlling the breathing and slowing it down gradually can help reduce anxiety. Even in your day-to-day life, you’ll be equipped with this tool to calm yourself in anxious or stressful situations.
Clear The Mind
Yoga has a significant benefit that is similar to meditation – clearing the mind. One cause of high stress is thinking and worrying too much. Practicing yoga forces a person to be in the present moment by focusing on the movements of their body and the way they’re breathing. In turn, this can help clear the mind. Combined with stretching and breathing right, all these things help lessen stress in the mind and body. Once a person learns these tools and can have more control over their thoughts and body, it becomes easier to cope with stress.
Lower Cortisol Levels
Doing yoga regularly can help decrease the level of cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is a stress hormone we all have, only we need to keep it in check. Keeping your cortisol levels good can help prevent stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Having high cortisol levels can lead to both physical and mental health problems.
Improve Sleep Quality
One result of lowering stress and managing it is a very basic thing: better sleep quality. Not getting enough sleep or not sleeping well can lead to a variety of health problems. Not to mention have a negative effect on someone’s life. Other than fatigue, sleep problems can result in high blood pressure, depression, and even obesity. The body needs a proper amount of sleep to gain energy and without it, it can’t function properly. Since yoga relaxes the body and mind, the body can produce melatonin more easily, resulting in falling asleep more easily and sleeping better.