Yoga and Stress Management – Four Barriers to Stress Reduction
Yoga exercises and relaxation techniques are the best ways to reduce and manage stress. If you are a sole proprietor, a parent with young children or teenagers, or in charge of a busy team at work, then your day can be filled with frustration and stress.
Once you are relaxed and carefree, life is so much more enjoyable and fun. There are many stress management techniques available to help you reduce stress and feel more calm and peaceful.
Yoga provides you with a variety of easy-to-do exercises, breathing practices, and meditation techniques to help you completely unwind and relax your central nervous system.
Although you realize that you need to rest and relax, there are often many barriers in your way that can prevent you from using these practices to reduce your stress.
Four barriers to stress reduction
1. Lack of time
As a working parent, your time is precious. If you feel stressed and overwhelmed, it can be a challenge to fit into a full regular practice of yoga exercises. However, you can relax and release muscle tension in as little as 2 to 10 minutes. For example, inhale, and as you exhale, slowly turn your head to look over your right shoulder. Keep your chin level. Inhale again and as you exhale turn your head to the center. Repeat on your left shoulder. Repeat this sequence 3 to 5 times in each direction.
2. Space Lake
If your job is demanding and you feel tired, drained, and overwhelmed by the demands of your colleagues, you can practice easy relaxation exercises at your desk or workstation. For example, sit near the edge of your chair with your feet flat on the floor and your hands in your lap. Stretch your spine, slowly arch your back and tilt your head back. Relax and take three deep breaths. Slowly bring your body back to center. Repeat 3 to 5 times before resuming work.
3. Lack of privacy
When you have young children it can be difficult to find the privacy and peace and quiet that you need to practice relaxation exercises. Children have an uncanny ability to know when to pick on you, especially when you want time to yourself. Even in a gym or health club you can feel self-conscious about practicing yoga in front of others. Fear not, as you can reap the same benefits by practicing in bed. Upon awakening, take a long, deep breath. As you exhale, slowly stretch your awake body. Keep your legs straight on the bed and gently point and flex your toes back and forth 5 to 7 times.
4. Lack of practice and planning
Like most things in life, to get the most benefit from yoga and relaxation exercises, you need to develop positive relaxation habits. That way, you can easily reduce times when you feel stressed and know what to do when you’re stressed.
In the long run, if you want to learn how to manage stress, you should take the time to include stress-fighting tips in your daily routine.
The rewards? You’ll have more time, energy, and space to do the things you enjoy.