This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret.
Now, I know this may come as a shock to some of you, since my calm spirit and inner quiet simply oozes from the pages of this blog. But…I can be a little high-strung. I like to think of it as nervous energy. My doctor likes to think of it as Generalized Anxiety Disorder. But I digress.
My point is that my natural state is not one of tranquility. I have to work at controlling my anxiety. (See what I mean? “Work.” “Control.” Not words you’d typically associate with a tranquil existence.)
Running is definitely good for my mental wellbeing, but I wouldn’t say that it soothes my anxiety. When I’m angry or sad, pounding the pavement with my music blasting clears my head and helps me release my pent up feelings. And of course when I run with a friend, I can talk about whatever’s on my mind. But does it make me feel more calm or centered? Eh. Probably not.
I talk about running a lot, so you may not know that I also love yoga. I started taking yoga classes at my gym about a year and a half ago, but I still consider myself a beginner. I know some of the basic poses and I can keep up pretty well with my favorite fitness yoga class. But that’s the physical stuff. What I’d really like to learn more about is the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection that can happen with regular the practice of yoga. Those three things together seem to be what makes yoga so effective in healing and bringing peace of mind. And this might be just what I need to help calm my anxiety.
(c) 2013 Sugar Booger Memory Lane Photography
How Can Yoga Improve Your (and My) Mental Health?
- Yoga can help regulate your body’s stress response system. Yoga breathing and relaxation can actually lower your blood pressure and reduce your cortisol (the stress hormone) levels.
- Yoga will teach you to take deeper, slower breaths. Your improved lung functioning will trigger your body’s relaxation response, which is “a physical state of deep rest that changes a person’s physical and emotional responses to stress.” (www.apa.org, 2008)
- Yoga can teach you to focus on the present. When you direct all of your mental and physical energy toward breathing and holding a pose, there’s not much room for your mind to wander. With practice, you can learn to forget about your worries and your to-do list, even if it’s just for the duration of a yoga class.
- Yoga can help improve your sleep. Lack of sleep is linked to a number of physical and mental issues, including anxiety and depression. If you sleep better, you’ll feel better.
- Yoga may help you achieve a greater level of inner peace. The meditative aspect is especially important in achieving a sense of spiritual depth and emotional balance. (There’s that elusive inner quiet that I struggle to achieve in my own life.)
Yoga has so many potential benefits, both mental and physical – it’s kind of incredible. In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, it can increase your strength and flexibility, improve your circulation, relieve pain, and help you manage your weight.
Yoga can be an intense mental and physical workout – and just like with any workout, you need to fuel your body properly before, during, and afterward. You have to find what works best for you. Some say that yoga should be done on an empty stomach, while others say that it’s important NOT to do it on an empty stomach. Personally, I like to eat something light, like a granola bar and a banana. I sip water during class (I don’t know if this is an etiquette no-no, but I drink when I’m thirsty!). And afterwards, just like after a run, it’s important to eat a mix of carbs and protein. Some post-yoga foods to consider:
- 1 cup of Silk Soymilk (Vanilla is my favorite)
- 1 cup of lowfat Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
- 1/4 cut hummus
- Smoothie with Silk Soymilk smoothie
For some great smoothie recipes and ideas, check out http://silk.com/proteinpower. And to learn more about the benefits of Silk Soymilk, visit http://silk.com/products/learn-more/about-soymilk.
What do you like to eat after a yoga class? How does yoga improve your mental health?
Sources:
http://www.mhww.org/yoga.html
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/10/relaxation.aspx
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleep-newzzz/201210/yoga-can-help-insomnia
http://www.gaiamtv.com/article/yoga-and-your-mental-health-surprising-connection#sthash.K9GzDGfu.dpbs
http://www.mhww.org/yoga.html
This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.
I'd love to hear your thoughts...