Modern life has many stress factors. Even children suffer from stress because of pressure to perform in order to become successful one day. It is not always possible to cut out these factors from our lives, so we need to learn to cope as best we can. Medication or alcohol is not really a long-term solution, but exercise is, especially yoga. Anyone who compulsively turns to alcohol in attempt to relieve stress can seek help at alcoholrehab-center.org or similar reabilitation centers.

Benefits of yoga

Yoga has a large number of benefits to us and these are physical, mental and spiritual benefits. In Sanskrit, yoga means ‘union’. The objective of yoga is to unite body, mind and soul. Probably the most important benefit is relaxation. This is a physical as well as mental benefit, as it relaxes our muscles as well as our mind. An important part of yoga is made up of breathing techniques and meditation. This calms the mind, slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure.

With the lowering of the heart rate and blood pressure comes a whole range of physical benefits such as a lowered incidence of coronary disease and strokes and the avoidance of any side effects as a result of using medication to combat hypertension or heart disease. Blood circulation is also improved and this increases the body’s fight against diseases. The formation of red blood cells is stimulated through yoga, resulting in more oxygen transported to cells.

There are claims that yoga increases HDL (high density lipoproteins), the “good” cholesterol and that it decreases LDL (low density lipoproteins) or the “bad” cholesterol. Glucose decreases (your blood sugar levels) and that is good news for people suffering from diabetes.

Many of these benefits result from other types of exercise as well. However, because yoga relies on slow, non-impact movements, there are far more benefits and very few chances of injuries, either sudden or in the long term.

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When you are relaxed, you are in a better mood generally. Other people do not upset you so easily, you can handle setbacks better and you make better decisions concerning your work or private life. If your mood is regularly lifted, there is a much smaller chance of falling prey to depression in the long run. Physical exercise stimulates the brain to release endorphins, which are hormones known as the “feel-good drugs” of the body. When you are relaxed, you also concentrate better. This is advantageous to students and people in high profile jobs but will benefit everybody.

The exercises in a yoga routine stretch your muscles and make you suppler. This is especially beneficial to older people, as they will feel more energetic and have a better quality of life. They will also be less prone to injuries. Athletes and very active people will find this added suppleness very valuable.

A relaxed person finds it easier to fall asleep at night and to maintain a deep sleep for longer. The physical exercise of yoga also helps you to sleep better. That alone means more energy and better concentration for the next day.

Yoga involves meditation and getting in touch with your thoughts, getting to know yourself, your feelings and the feelings and needs of people around you. It is not a religion, so it can be practised by anybody from any denomination or by people who are not religious. Whilst you are practising the various positions, you invariably learn to be patient. Part of the yoga lifestyle advocates proper eating, especially vegetarianism, but it is not essential. It makes you aware of your body, your posture improves and so will your eating habits, often resulting in weight loss if needed.

This article was written on behalf of Archers Sleep Centre.