“If only stress could burn calories, there would be so many supermodels around.”
The way stress perpetrates our lives, is unprecedented. A recent well-being survey, 2019 by Cigna highlights that nearly 82% of the Indian population suffers from stress! And this is not good stress that we are talking about. This is stress that negatively affects the physical and mental well-being of a person.
Knowingly or unknowingly, stress affects us much more than we expect. Its only when the accumulated stress starts manifesting through some physical ailment or a major drop in productivity, that we take cognizance of it. While talking of mental health, it’s important to understand that it’s not a standalone thing that we are talking about. Its about a holistic take on health since there exists a close connection between our physical and mental health.
One of the most effective ways to manage the counter effects of stress is through yoga! It wonderfully combines both physical and mental fitness with a non-biased awareness. One of the most fundamental principles of yoga is that the body and mind are one and connected. Stress in one part will affect the other and vice versa.
According to yoga, each physical state or asana, creates a certain mental state and each mental state assumes a certain physical state. In this article, to keep things simple, I would share 5 simple asanas which are great for physical fitness and for beating that bad stress away.
1. Standing forward bend (Uttanasana)
This is an excellent stretch pose for the hips, hamstrings and the calves. This pose also strengthens the knees and thighs and helps heal and rejuvenate the body. This asana incorporates active exhalation and hence is an excellent pose to calm the mind and relieve stress. To get more from this pose, one can have the arms clasped behind the back. This helps in opening the chest and reversing the tightness in the shoulders.
2. Eagle pose (Garudasana)
This pose requires balancing of the limbs and focusing on a single point, thereby encouraging controlled breathing and hence lowering of stress. The intertwining of arms and legs in the pose frees up the tightness in shoulders and hips, thereby making the body relaxed and stress free.
3. Child pose (Balasana)
This is a resting pose that quiets the mind and eases stress. This asana soothes the adrenal glands which accumulate a lot of pressure when we are stressed out. This restorative pose is an excellent to calm the nervous and the lymphatic system.
4. Reclined bound angle pose (Supta Baddhakonasana)
This pose helps in opening the hips, inner thighs, and groins. These are the spots where we hold tension and stress. A highly relaxing pose, this can melt away your daily worries as you lie on the ground.
5. Cat cow pose (Bitilasana Marjaryasana)
This mix of pose is done alternately and is a wonderful way to relax and massage the back and spine. These two asanas when done together, creates emotional balance, relieves stress and calms the mind.
So, next time when you feel your stress buttons are being pressed, just get on your mat and do these simple poses to ward off the unwanted stress away. And what can be better, if you combine these with simple breathing exercises (pranayams) to feel energized and happy!
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