Anxiety affects a huge number of people daily – from low-level nervousness right up to a full scale anxiety attack, it can grind you down over time before you’ve even realised you were stressed. Fortunately, there is more and more evidence to suggest that yoga can help to regulate anxiety! Here’s how it works:
Slower breathing
Anxiety often results in shallow breathing, which in turn creates those tell-tale signs of worry – stomach problems, shortness of breath, headaches and nausea. The deep breathing promoted in yoga slows the breath and sends calming signals to the rest of your body.
Excess energy
Sometimes, not getting enough exercise is what leads to fatigue – all that pent up energy has to go somewhere, and if you don’t use it up physically, you will end up over-thinking on a whole new level.
Mindfulness
Grounding yourself in the present moment is hugely beneficial for those times when you’re feeling anxious (as most anxiety tends to me around the future rather than the present moment). Yoga centres around mindfulness in every move. And let’s face it – it is considerably harder to think about bills when you’re standing on your head!