Months into the pandemic, and we are still uncertain where the light at the end of the tunnel may be. Does this thought send chills up your spine more than the haunting decorations for the approaching Halloween holiday? If so, you are not alone. Pandemic stress, as it is being called, affects all of us, but in different ways. How can you know if you are experiencing it?
Yoga Linked to Greater Compassion and Self-regulation
By now, you have likely read one of our blogs on how yoga is linked to improving physical and mental health. Another focus of yoga is in becoming more aware of how we respond, also known as self-regulation. Self-regulation is being intentional. Choosing to focus on the meaning behind someone’s words, or choosing to focus on the beauty of the day, rather than focusing on the person’s anger or your long to do list, reframes the negativity in an intentional manner and is a form of self-regulation.
Yoga Linked to Reduced Negative Stress
Stress is a part of all people’s lives. During the pandemic, stress has increased for many due to concerns about illness, isolation, financial insecurity, or lack of contact such as hugging loved ones. Stress if viewed negatively, where we react to stress through mind and body harmfully, is linked to many health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, and many chronic illnesses. It is important to manage stress’ impact on your for both physical and mental health and for improved quality of life during both good or difficult times. While experiencing stress negatively, it can seem like an impossible task. We just want stress to go away, but we need to realize that we DO have control of our bodies and our minds and how we respond to stress.
Yoga Studies Show Link to Boosting Your Immune System
As we age, our immune systems become less able to respond. We have fewer immune cells and inflammation increases. Stress can further weaken the immune system. If we are of a certain age, there is a higher dose flu shot that helps compensate for this fact. But what about other issues we need our immune system for, such as healing, reducing inflammation, or illnesses that may not have a vaccine? There is evidence that practicing yoga may help us boost our immune systems, reduce inflammation, as well as reduce stress.