The holidays are right around the corner, and we all know what that means: parties, presents, time with our loved ones… and stress. Lots and lots of stress. Whether it’s dealing with toddler meltdowns or awkward conversations with your in-laws, we all know that familiar anxious feeling that plagues us from November-January.

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to keep feeling stressed! When the holidays have you feeling overwhelmed, step away and use our favorite remedy – a few minutes of calming, restorative yoga.

How Yoga Fights Stress

It’s no secret that yoga can be a powerful tool against stress. Yoga combines many well-known stress management techniques, from focused breathing to mindfulness and meditation, with exercise (which is known to increase endorphins and improve our moods).

But the connection between yoga and stress relief isn’t just anecdote; the studies back it up. Research suggests that practicing yoga for three months can lower cortisol levels, which in turn lowers your perceived stress. Some studies have even demonstrated how yoga can be an effective remedy for conditions like depression and anxiety!

Poses to Try this Holiday Season

Even if you’re not a regular yogi, you can start to reap the benefits of yoga this holiday season. When things get a little too crazy this year, step away and try one of these poses:

Child’s Pose (Balasana): Start in a kneeling position on something comfortable, like a carpet or yoga mat. Sit back on your heels, then fold at the waist and extend your arms forward. Rest your head on the mat or floor and breathe deeply, sinking into the stretch with each exhale. Resting here can help you reconnect to your breath and let go of stressful feelings – and bonus points, it’s a great pose for digesting that big holiday meal!

Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani): For this pose, start by lying on your back on the floor near a wall. Place your legs on the wall with straight knees, so your body looks like the letter “L.” lay your arms at your sides and breathe (or, if you want to focus on your breath even more, you can place your hands on your belly).

Corpse Pose (Savasana): This pose is used at the end of almost every yoga practice to increase feelings of relaxation and rejuvenation. It’s also one of the easiest poses to do: simply lie flat on your back with your legs straight and slightly apart, with your arms extended from your body at a 45-degree angle. Take deep breaths and allow your muscles to fully relax, staying there as long as you need to feel better.

With these poses, you can take on the holiday season and all its stressors. So, get out there and enjoy a stress-free holiday!

Yomassage

And if you’re in the Bend area, you can check out one of our Yomassage classes—this is unique methodology blends therapeutic touch with yoga in a small group setting.

Managing Holiday Stress with Yoga