Cut Stress and Make Time for You

stress relief

Stress Relief

You have a million demands on your time. Work, home and family all need your attention. If you’re like most people in the area, you also have a lot of unpredictability and uncertainty in your days. Plus, about half of all Americans say that they’ve experienced some sort of major stressful event in the past year such as the loss of a loved one, a job or another big negative event. Over time, this all drains you and pulls you out of balance. Stress can have a major effect on your emotional wellbeing and your physical health.

Physical Effects of Stress

Our body’s stress response is designed to protect us. It gives us the ability to act quickly if we are in danger. But, when stress is ongoing, the effect of pumping all that cortisol, the fight or flight chemical, into our brains takes its toll. You can experience high blood pressure, headaches, muscle aches and stomach distress. Stress can lead to sleeplessness, which only compounds the toll on your body.

Chronic stress upsets our emotional stability, as well. We’ll find ourselves getting frustrated more easily than usual. We react more intensely to negative situations. Over time, it can harm our senses of self-worth and self-esteem. This can have a negative effect on our relationships, perpetuating the cycle of high stress.

Finding Your Center with Yoga

Often, there isn’t a lot that we can do to remove outside sources of stress. But, we can strengthen our own inner peace and develop the tools to deal more effectively with whatever stressors life throws your way.

Yoga can be a highly effective tool for developing an inner sense of calm and emotional resilience. When most people think of yoga, they think of stretching and exercise. And, they are right that these are both effective for combating stress. Regular stretching helps relieve the muscle tension that can build up during a hectic day. The endorphins released during a good workout can be extremely soothing and calming. Exercise also reduces your levels of cortisol. Over time, your brain becomes able to utilize what you release more effectively, meaning that your body produces less of it.

The meditative quality of yoga is arguable an even more important benefit. Researchers have found that, after just eight weeks of regular mindfulness and meditation, people felt less stressed out and more able to handle aggravating situations. People who meditate regularly have more gray matter than those who do not. In one study, they found that 50-year-olds who meditate on a regular basis have the same brain health as people half their ages. This increased gray matter improves your cognitive function and memory. Less time spent hunting for your keys means less time feeling harried, late and uncertain.

At Yoga Core Fit, we have classes for every practitioner, from the novice to advanced. Come to us for classes like the hot yoga Vacaville residents say is effective at managing their stress. Pick a class from our schedule today and take some time for self-care and stress relief.

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