In today’s society, stress can play a big part of kind of life a person lives. With all of our commitments, work deadlines, family activities that have you running from one place to another at a specific time. It's no wonder that most of us are lying awake in bed when we should be sleeping and getting our batteries recharged.
But that little word “Stress” can find a way to come to the forefront of our minds and keep us from dropping off into a needed dream-like state. Routine stress may be the hardest type of stress to notice at first. ... Over time, continued strain on your body from routine stress may contribute to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses, as well as mental disorders like depression or anxiety.
Health problems can occur if the stress response goes on for too long or becomes chronic, such as when the source of stress is constant, or if the response continues after the danger has subsided. With chronic stress, those same life-saving responses in your body can suppress immune, digestive, sleep, and reproductive systems, which may cause them to stop working normally.
Different people may feel stress in different ways. For example, some people experience mainly digestive symptoms, while others may have headaches, sleeplessness, sadness, anger or irritability. People under chronic stress are prone to more frequent and severe viral infections, such as the flu or common cold.
So, how do we deal with this sometimes-debilitating ailment? There are many ways you can cope and try and get your stress levels under control. Some people turn their stress into life-changing alterations of their particular situations. Naturally, this comes about after confronting what in their lives is causing them to have stress in the first place and then working to either eliminate that cause from their lives or dealing with it and making it as manageable as can be.
Others seek professional help and may undergo counseling with the added help of prescribed medication. Then there are some that tend to deal with their stress by making physical exercise a part of their lifestyle. The type is based on their own personal choice of exercise regimen. Which could range from joining a health center. Lifting weights, swimming, running and some try the mind soothing structure of yoga.
Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical poses, controlled breathing, and meditation or relaxation. Yoga may help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and lower your heart rate. And almost anyone can do it. And this is according to the Mayo Clinic!
Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines that may help you achieve peacefulness of body and mind. This can help you relax and manage stress and anxiety.
Yoga has many styles, forms and intensities. Hatha yoga, in particular, may be a good choice for stress management. Hatha is one of the most common styles of yoga, and beginners may like its slower pace and easier movements. But most people can benefit from any style of yoga, it's really all about your personal preferences.
The core components of hatha yoga and most general yoga classes are:
Poses. Yoga poses, also called postures, are a series of movements designed to increase strength and flexibility. Poses range from lying on the floor while completely relaxed to difficult postures that may have you stretching your physical limits.
Breathing. Controlling your breathing is an important part of yoga. Yoga teaches that controlling your breathing can help you control your body and quiet your mind.
Meditation or Relaxation. In yoga, you may incorporate meditation or relaxation. Meditation may help you learn to be more mindful and aware of the present moment without judgment.
The Potential health benefits of yoga include:
Stress Reduction. A number of studies have shown that yoga may help reduce stress and anxiety. It can also enhance your mood and overall sense of well-being.
Improved Fitness. Practicing yoga may lead to improved balance, flexibility, the range of motion and strength.
Management of Chronic Conditions. Yoga can help reduce risk factors for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Yoga might also help alleviate chronic conditions, such as depression, pain, anxiety, and insomnia.
One of the great things about undertaking yoga as a way to help relieve or at best, help to manage your stress levels is that classes on the various types of yoga are available in almost every city and town across the United States. You simply need to look at your immediate area and make a few phone calls or internet searches. One of the best places to start is your neighborhood YMCA!
If you're going to take a class, most have a “Sit In” class where you can observe the class and see if it really is a good fit for you. One thing you’re going to need however are comfortable workout clothes, and a yoga mat. One brand of a mat that is durable and won’t slip on a tiled floor is the Aurorae Northern Lights Yoga Mat This mat is "Extra Long" 72" x 24" Wide and 5 mm Thick to absorb impact on joints/ No Odor, Durable and Long Lasting
Each individual mat has a uniqueness of its own and no two mats are exactly the same. And to tote your mat along with you to the class you can use the Aurorae Sling Yoga Bag Made with Durable, Heavy-Duty Polyester. Specialized Mat-Locker System securely holds all Aurorae Yoga Mats and Most dense rubber mats effectively.
Again, a mat and carry bag are just recommended tools that you can use to feel comfortable in taking your yoga class. Work with the instructor to ease yourself into the various positions and stances until you get comfortable with them and if a certain position or the duration of holding a specific pose is too much of a strain for you at first. Back off a bit, your instructor, I’m sure will tell you the same.
Like anything new, you need to ease into it until your body accommodates the various stretches and poses you are subjecting it to. Remember, the whole goal of embracing yoga is to help you manage and or relieve your stress. NOT to cause you more stress by not being able to do as much as the others in the group.
Keep in mind, you’re just a Newbie!
From the calm, relaxed, elastic crew here at PedometersUSA.com!