Let’s face it; we all have problems daily, ranging from work issues to financial problems, health issues, and the list goes on. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed by the seemingly unsolvable situations you are in. There is no one way to predict if things will go wrong. Most people who are affected by daily anxiety tend to be constantly on guard, waiting for ‘The worst’ to happen, while at the same time worrying that something bad will happen to them or those they care about so they will be prepared.
In reality, life is full of uncertainty and unexpected events. The only way to combat this feeling is by learning how to accept things as they are instead of trying to control everything around you. Yoga can be a great tool for stress relief if practiced regularly and consistently. If you feel anxious several times a day or can relate to the stress of everyday life, here’s some guidance for easing anxiety naturally using yoga.
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 sitting still hard and concentrating on your breath, try doing some yoga poses first as a warm-up exercise. For 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 up, so it’s a good exercise to start with if you’re new to yoga. Once you’re comfortable doing this pose, sit in a chair or on the floor with your back straight and eyes closed. Focus on your breathing for five minutes, ensuring that each exhale longer than each inhales. You can also find other meditation poses online. Look for meditation videos that you can easily follow while doing it at home.
Take a Bath
Taking a bath is popular as one of the most effective ways to relax the mind and body. A soothing piece of music or light candles while soaking your body in the tub can be a good idea. 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 to reflect on the things that you must be thankful for. You may even want to try meditation while taking a hot bath by focusing on your breathing. It’s also an effective way to calm your mind and achieve a better sleeping routine at night.
Practice Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is another effective way to practice daily when you feel stressed and anxious. Inhale deeply and then exhale slowly, ensuring that your exhales are longer than yours. 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.
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 the 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.
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. Fortunately, there are a lot of YouTube video ideas for meditation that can help you. Simply do your research and you will find one.
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.