Yoga and Stress Management – Four Barriers to Reduce Stress

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 free from worry, life is 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 fully rest and relax your central nervous system.

Even though 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 reducing stress

1. Lack of time
As a working parent, your time is precious. If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, it can be challenging to fit into a full regular practice of yoga exercises. However, you can relax and release muscle tension in as little as 2-10 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 towards the center. Repeat on your left shoulder. Repeat this sequence 3 to 5 times in each direction.

2. Lake of Space
If your job is demanding and you feel tired, exhausted, 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 resting in your lap. Stretch your spine, slowly arch your back, and tilt your head back. Relax and take three deep breaths. Slowly return your body to the center. Repeat 3-5 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 you need to practice relaxation exercises. Children have an uncanny knack for knowing when to annoy you, especially when you want time for yourself. Even in a gym or health club, you may feel self-conscious about practicing yoga in front of others. Fear not, as you can get the same benefits by practicing in bed. Upon awakening, take a long, deep breath. As you exhale, slowly stretch your body awake. 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 must develop positive relaxation habits. That way, you can easily reduce the times when you feel stressed and know what to do when you are stressed.

In the long run, if you want to learn how to manage stress, you need to take the time to include stress-fighting tips into your daily routine.

The rewards? You will have more time, energy, and space to do the things you enjoy.