If you feel anxious several times a day or can relate to the stress of everyday life, here’s some guidance for using a yoga lifestyle to ease anxiety.
1. Meditate for 5 Minutes
The practice of mindfulness meditation is easy to learn and can be practiced by anyone. It simply involves focusing on your breathing and letting go of judgment and expectations while living in the moment. If you find it difficult to sit still hard and concentrate on your breath, try doing some yoga poses first as a warm-up exercise. For an easy example, try the cat/cow pose.
The cat/cow pose is good for the spine and can help you to feel more relaxed before meditating. It also helps to warm your body. Once you’re warmed up, begin your meditation by sitting in a chair or on the floor with your back straight and eyes closed. When you are comfortable, focus on your breathing for five minutes, ensuring that each exhale is longer than each inhale.
2. Take a Bath
Taking a bath is one of the most effective ways to relax the mind and body. Listening to a soothing piece of music and having lit candles around while you are soaking in the tub can enhance the experience. Some people like to use Epsom salts or bubble baths, while others prefer simple soap and hot water.
A bath is a good place to relax and reflect on the things you can be thankful for. You may want to try meditation in the bath by focusing on your breathing. A bath can also lead you to a calmer mind and better sleep.
3. Practice Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is another effective practice when you feel stressed and anxious. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly, ensuring that your exhales are longer than your inhales. You can also try to focus on your stomach rising as you breathe in and falling as you breathe out.
You can do deep breathing anywhere at any time, whether you’re sitting in your car or walking down the street. When you are feeling stressed and anxious, pause and focus on your deep breaths for a few minutes.
4. Pay Attention to Your Body
Do you feel your heart beating faster or your muscles tense? That’s normal — it’s just your body reacting to stress. As you breathe deeply, try to relax and focus on making small movements with your hands or feet that will help you calm down. Or, instead of focusing on your breathing, think about how good it feels when you’re not stressed out.
Try to do something you enjoy. Think about something that makes you happy, like playing with your kids or reading a book. If nothing comes to mind, try calling a friend who always makes you laugh. Even if they can’t talk now, knowing someone will listen when things get tough is comforting.
5. Practice Stretches
It’s easy to get tense when you’re stressed, so take a few minutes to stretch. You can do this while thinking about something that makes you happy or just by focusing on the pleasant feelings in your body. Loop a rubber band around one wrist and gently pull it toward your other hand until you feel like letting go to relax even further.
If you don’t have a rubber band, hold your hands in front of you and let them drop slowly downward. Your thumbs are also an excellent tool for gently massaging the palms of your hands.
Takeaway: Your anxiety will never leave you, but it will improve with practice
By working on your stress management skills and taking charge of your emotions, you’ll be able to reduce the amount of anxiety in your life. It’s a process that will definitely take some time, so don’t feel discouraged if you cannot see immediate results. If you don’t find something that clicks for you, just try something new until you find it.
Yoga is one way to stay calm and live a full life. Yoga isn’t just about the poses. It’s a subtle art of living that can help anyone with anxiety, stress, or depression. Frustrations, anger, and irritability are signs of being out of balance. So turn your life around now and start connecting yourself to yoga.
