10 Strategies for Reducing Stress and Boosting your immune system
First of all, we want you to know we are thinking about ya. Sending a whole lotta love out there to you all right now. We, like many of you, have been processing the current situation and moving through big emotions.
In times of stress, anxiety, fear, confusion…. we wanted to extend a reminder that we are all in this together. We know the tools to self-soothe. We can reach in our yoga toolbox to help us get through this, one day at a time.
Here are 10 productive ways one can actively work on reducing stress levels and boosting your immune system:
Return to your breath.
Take longer exhales than inhales; this engages the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest response). Place your left hand on your heart and right hand on your navel to foster a greater connection. Breathe and expand into your belly. Relax the shoulders, jaw, and chest. It can be helpful to count on our inhale, and count on the exhale to ensure the exhale is longer than the inhale. For example, “In-2-3, Out-2-3-4-5-6.” For more on breathing, you may find some helpful tips in a blog we published last year: How to Use the Breath to Release Unwanted Emotions.
Recite a helpful mantra.
Positive self-talk works wonders on mental health. Give yourself gentle helpful reminders that are simple yet effective. Eckhart Tolle might remind us to stay in the present moment with a mantra like, “In this two minutes I am okay” or “I am”.
Build and maintain community creatively.
Send a card or letter to an elderly or immune-compromised loved one. FaceTime with your loved ones. Send joyful photos and videos.
Be mindful of media consumption.
Limit the amount of fear-inducing conversations, news stories, and reading you engage in. If the news is overwhelming you, it may be time to shut off the screen or set down the phone. While staying informed is extremely important, it’s also important to practice self-care and take breaks.
Get outside.
Fresh air is good for mind, body, and soul. Changing your core body temperature is also a way to relax. For example a hot cup of tea, a hot shower, a bath, or a walk outside are all ways to change your core temperature and naturally de-stress.
Channel your pre-2000s hobbies.
Get lost in a good book. Put together the puzzles buried in the recesses of your closets. Pull out board games.
Sleep.
Focus on winding down 1-2 hours before bed. Dim the lights. Turn off the news/social media. Keep conversation and thoughts light and relaxing. If you’re really struggling with sleep, you may find some helpful tips in this blog we published in 2019: Yoga to Ease Insomnia and Improve Sleep.
Nourish your body.
Your mind and spirit will also thank you. Drink lots of water! Eat nutritious food. Avoid junk food/stress eating. Eat and drink mindfully.
Journal.
Any writing will do. You could start with 3 things you are grateful for today.
Practice yoga.
We wholeheartedly believe in yoga as a means of healing and wellness. Perhaps you just do child’s pose and deep breathing today? Or maybe you’ll be inspired to do a little more movement. We also believe that any mindful act done lovingly falls into the spectrum of yoga.
AHIMSA
Lastly, as I enter this blog I am amazed at how drastically our lives have changed in the space of a week. As all of us navigate these changes, we too are closely monitoring the situation and adjusting. We will keep you posted as we make decisions regarding upcoming retreats. In the meantime, we are working on creating online content (and improving the quality) to help you practice yoga at home. This period of social distancing is a beautiful act of ahimsa (non-violence). We are acting in solidarity to flatten the curve, protect those at-risk, and those working in healthcare. So while the next few months are full of unknowns, we are focusing on the positives and moving forward together.
Our online classes can be found HERE.
