Our daily lives can get stressful with managing the full-time job, hobbies and personal life. There is not one simple cure to fix an anxious lifestyle and we hate to say it, but the stress doesn’t just go away on its own. Often times, your anxiety and stress will pile up along with the amount of work and chores on your list. Although there is no quick fix, yoga may be that relaxing activity that helps relieve your stressful day.
Here are a few poses to help you manage your stress levels. Give them a try and remember to stay hydrated with your Glasstic!
Child’s Pose
The child’s pose is common in Yoga as it allows you to rest posture and eases stress and anxiety. The pose gently stretches the back and calm the mind. To do this pose, simply sit on your heels and extend your arms overhead with the palms on the floor. Breathe slowly.
Cat Pose
The cat pose is a basic yoga pose that relieves stress and massages the spine. It also has many physical benefits like strengthening the spine and stretching the hips. To do this pose, begin with your hands and knees in a tabletop position with your knees hip-width apart and your arms perpendicular to the floor with hands directly under the shoulders. Look straight ahead. As you exhale, round your spine toward the ceiling and drop your head. Then inhale and return to original form. Repeat.
Standing Forward Bend
This pose is perfect for those who suffer from anxiety. This pose calms the mind by relieving tension and reducing depressions and fatigue. It also strengthens the thighs and knees. To do this pose, start standing up. Then bend forward until your feet meet your hands. Lengthen the torso on each inhale and on the exhale, release fully into the bend. Repeat.
Downward-Facing Dog
This is a great pose for people who suffer from headaches, fatigue and depression because your heart will be higher than your head in this pose. It can also help with back pain energize the entire body. To do this pose, start on your hands and knees in tabletop position and lift the hips up towards the ceiling. Make sure your arms and legs are straight and try to press the heels into the floor to get a stretch in the legs. Let your head relax toward the floor.
Low Lunge
This pose is a little harder than the other yoga positions and will take practice to master, but the low lung can help build mental focus and release tension in your hips. It is also great for strengthening your muscles in your helps. You’ll begin in the previous Downward-Facing Dog pose. While exhaling, place your right foot forward between your hands and align the right knee over the heel. Then lower your left knee to the floor until you’re in a lunge position. Then slide your left leg back until you feel a comfortable stretch. When relaxed, raise your arms above your head and gently look up. Switch and repeat.