Boosting Positivity and Mental Health

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

Boosting Positivity and Mental Health: How Yoga and Meditation Can Help

With so many stressors in our lives, it’s no wonder that more and more people are starting to look for healthy methods to cope and feel better.

Some of the most popular include a form of exercise since a workout can boost both your physical and mental health, and yoga is one of the best ways to get fit. Not only does it allow you to focus on mindfulness — being in the present, without worry, while you learn to relax — it can be done almost anywhere and adapted for people of just about any age or ability.

Not only that, it’s fun! While some of the more advanced poses can be hard work, it’s a great way to get social by joining a class, and because it’s so adaptive, you can take it to the beach and enjoy a nice swim afterward or head to the park and enjoy the scenery. The physical benefits are multiple since it can help strengthen your muscles and joints, improve flexibility and balance, and allow you to alter it in order to be as gentle as you need it to be. On the mental health side, you can learn to meditate, reduce stress, and find coping methods for issues like anxiety or symptoms of depression.

Keep reading for more on the fun and healthy benefits of yoga and meditation.

Do It with a Friend or Alone

Whether you want to get social and join a yoga class or do it from the comfort of your own home, there are many ways you can get started. Many seniors look for a class when they’re starting out since there are techniques they can learn to prevent injury, such as using a chair instead of a yoga mat or doing poses in the pool. The social aspect of going to a class can help relieve the symptoms of depression and help you focus on your needs in a healthy way.

Have Fun

While working out may not sound like fun to some, yoga is actually a great way to create a healthy routine because you can make it as upbeat as you want. Some people prefer to listen to soft, relaxing music while they do poses, but you can add modern songs with a good beat and keep your energy level up. Or, you can get active with a friend and make your workout social while you catch up. Doing so will give you something to look forward to and will allow you to associate your workout with something positive, which will keep you motivated.

Give Yourself Time to Think

On the quieter side of things, yoga and meditation will allow you to focus, calm your nerves, and give yourself time away from all the distractions the world has to offer, especially if you create a special place in your home just for this practice. It can be hard to get away sometimes, but having a room in your house that you can go to and enjoy the quiet will help you destress. Start with relaxing lighting, a comfortable place to sit, and the right temperature for your optimum comfort; you can go here for some great tips on how to create a meditation room in your home.

Think Before You Act

Learning the art of meditation can be hugely beneficial for those who are living with lots of stress or have trouble controlling their emotions. It can improve your relationships if you can meditate on a problem before acting or speaking on it, so think hard about the best way to proceed by sitting in your meditative space and going over the possibilities. You might be surprised at how much it helps.

Boosting your positivity and mental health will help you feel better all around, and learning how to cope with stress or anxiety will allow you more time and energy to focus on the things in your life that truly matter. Start slowly and look for ways you can incorporate yoga and meditation into your daily routine.

Melissa Howard
http://stopsuicide.info/