Stress and anxiety have become a severe threat to people living in the 21st century. Almost 75% of people suffer from anxiety and related disorders. If left untreated, then stress can impact your life in the worst possible manner.
But yoga has turned out to be the most popular among them in recent years. Yoga for stress relief has been reported to work well, and people of all ages can benefit from it.
According to a recent survey, it has been reported that almost 85% of the people who did yoga experienced relief from anxiety and stress. Instead of relying on medicines and painkillers, you can practice yoga. Since it has proven benefits for others, it will be a brilliant remedy for you as well.
Bizarre Facts
Here are some interesting facts that you should know about yoga.
- 80-90% of adults in many of the First World countries visit their doctors because of issues related to stress and anxiety. But only 4-5% of them get relief from it in the long run.
- Due to anxiety, people have lost more than 11.7 million working days around the world because they were either ill, stressed out, or too anxious.
- People doing jobs in public service departments are the ones most stressed out.
Understanding the Relation Between Yoga & Stress
Yoga can effectively help to reduce stress. Researchers have found that yoga has been able to soothe and relax the nervous system and feelings of anxiousness. Practicing different yoga poses for stress relief helps to activate the vagus nerve by providing a relaxation response.
It is the nerve that is responsible for controlling the parasympathetic nervous system. Yoga significantly improves the symptoms of anxiety disorder in the long run. It is also observed that yoga helps to decrease the symptoms of PTSD(1).
Yoga allows the body to become more flexible and facilitates the stimulation of the muscles and the organs inside the body. Thus keeping the organs healthy and making sure that they work correctly.
[Also Read: Vitamins That Combat Stress]
Yoga Poses For Stress Relief
With so many yoga poses that can be practiced to reduce stress, here are the ones which can be the most beneficial postures of yoga to reduce stress.
1. Relaxed Pose (Sukhasana with Forwarding Bend)
The forward bend while doing Sukhasana helps to increase the body’s exhale levels that lead to the relaxation of the body.
2. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana with Shoulder Opener)
This pose is beneficial in increasing the respiration and also helps to relieve stress significantly. The hamstrings are released brilliantly if you carry out this pose regularly.
3. Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana)
The Wide-Legged Standing forward bend helps to release a lot of pressure from your head, and that is why people experience less anxiety.
4. Rabbit Pose (Sasangasana)
It is one of the best poses that you can rely on when you are stressed. The rabbit pose helps you to lose out on anxiety, panic, exhaustion, and other adverse effects.
5. Thunderbolt Pose (Vajrasana) with Eagle (Garudasana) Arms
With the help of this pose, you will be able to create a broad back and then release a lot of stress. The squeezing and pushing help to provide your body with proper relaxation.
So, here are the best postures in yoga for stress management. Practicing these postures will significantly help you to release a lot of daily stress.
[Also Read: Relieve Stress and Anxiety Naturally]
Precautions To Be Undertaken
Yoga is undoubtedly one of the most effective exercises for your body that you can be engaged in. But there are some precautions which you need to take to avoid any mishaps. If you are a beginner in yoga, then it is highly recommended that you take the help of a trainer to carry out and learn all the steps conveniently and correctly. One should consult a doctor before facing yoga if they are facing these problems –
- A herniated disk(2)
- A risk of blood clots
- Eye conditions, including glaucoma
- Pregnancy – although yoga is generally safe for pregnant women, certain poses should be avoided
- Severe balance problems
- Severe osteoporosis
- Uncontrolled blood pressure
Yoga has been practiced around the world for centuries. It is useful in helping your body and all the internal organs to function more effectively. It also helps to release stress eliminating enzymes and gives your mind a positive outlook.
As a result of which you tend to experience much more stress and anxiety-free lifestyle in the long run. Yoga for stress relief is one of the best ways to combat these growing problems among people.
FAQs
1. How Does Yoga Reduce Stress?
Ans. Yoga works by working on both- the physical and mental symptoms of stress and anxiety. Thus allowing the person to get rid of it entirely in the long run.
2. Is Yoga Safe?
Ans. Of course! If done in the right manner, then yoga can be very beneficial for your health and can eliminate significant stress and anxiety from your life quickly.
