Stress and Yoga

Stress is the most common and deadly illness. Here is a short description of the side effects when exposed to continuous stress.

75% of the working population is subject to emotional, physical, and mental stress. Stress causes chest pain, high cholesterol, cardiac problems, depression, and a host of assorted problems. Stress weakens the immune system and is responsible for many illnesses and diseases. Stress is one of the main factors causing insomnia and other sleep disorders. Stress triggers blood vessels to close. Reaction to stress also makes the blood thicker and more viscous which can lead to a blood clot. Chronic stress flood the brain with powerful hormones that are meant for short-term emergency situations and can damage, shrink, and kill brain cells. Stress poses a great threat for diabetes and heart attack by altering blood sugar levels. This can cause fatigue, impulsive mood changes, and hyperglycemia.

In short, Stress is a silent killer responsible for unhappiness and topmost causes of death globally.

Stress and anxiety are everywhere. If they’re getting the best of you, you might want to give yoga a try. Yoga is the best natural medicine. Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical poses, controlled breathing, and meditation or relaxation. Yoga can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and lower your heart rate. Practicing yoga lowers levels of cortisol, and adrenaline, which are stress-aggravating hormones; and it releases feel-good hormones, such as, dopamine.

Many practitioners at Bikram yoga Ljubljana tell me they feel great after practicing yoga and feel less stress in their life thanks to regular Bikram yoga practice. I see some of them walking into the studio feeling tired and stressed, only to finish the class and leave the studio with a big smile on their face, and flush red cheeks. It’s to no surprise; yogi’s live more balanced and deal with less stress, since they know the tools to cope with stress without reacting and responding appropriately.

Did you know that chewing gum eases, not only the jaw, but stress as well. However, it is not recommended you chew gum while practicing yoga

🙂