Stressed? 5 Simple Yoga Self-Care Techniques to Recharge Now
By: Ntathu Allen
Tags: Health, Stress Management, Yoga, Self Care Tips, Self Improvement

Stress Management | Self-Care Tips | Yoga

Stressed? 5 Simple Yoga Self-Care Techniques to Recharge Now

Image courtesy of my daughter, Jameela Allen

It’s tough, isn’t it, to stay present, find time to look after yourself, and keep up with the demands from work and family.

We know we’re supposed to put our own oxygen mask on first, yet how can we do that when we’re too busy firefighting at work?!

Or, even worse, we often feel guilty for putting on our mask while others are working flat out and equally stressed!

It feels easier to push through and ignore your rumbling stomach and pounding headache… which makes you feel worse in the long run!

Instead, why not try doing one of the following 5 yoga self-care techniques to reduce stress and recharge?

They are simple and there is research available which shows yoga reduces stress and helps you relax and recharge!

Let’s give them a go!

Recharge Practice #1: The Calm Your Eyes Technique

When your head feels heavy and you struggle to concentrate, do this simple yoga breathing exercise to calm and clear your mind.

Here’s How to Do It…

Shake and flap your hands 20 times. Then rub your palms vigorously together, 20 times. Separate your palms and notice the sensations in your fingers. Cup your hands softly over eyes, with your fingers pointing upwards towards your hairline and the heels of your palms resting lightly on your cheeks. Close your eyes and breathe in through your nose for a count of four and breathe out for a count of four. Repeat three times. Return your hands to your side and notice how your energy and mood feel now.

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Recharge Practice #2: The Reset Breathing Technique

When your body feels stiff from sitting down all day working, do this simple yoga technique to release tension, — you’ll feel deeply relaxed.

Here’s How to Do It…

Interlink your fingers and gently rest your hands on your belly. Breathe in through your nose, for a count of three, and feel your belly rising and expanding. Exhale for a count of three, feel the belly sink down. Repeat steps 2 and 3 in a slow and steady manner, ten times. Notice how your energy and mood feel now.

Photo by Victor Garcia on Unsplash

Recharge Practice #3: The Sharpen Your Inner Peace Muscle Technique

When you feel stressed out by all the demands on you, do this fun yoga breathing technique to soothe your mind!

Here’s How to Do It…

Close your eyes and slowly breathe in through your nose. As you breathe out through your nose, pretend you are a bumble bee and make a humming sound as you exhale. You can make a high humming sound or a low deep humming sound. Repeat steps 1 to 3 ten times. Keep your eyes closed and notice how you feel now.

Recharge Practice #4: The Butt-Walk Your Worries Away Technique

When your lower back feels tight, do this quick chair yoga exercise to ease sore back muscles.

Here’s How to Do It…

Sitting near the front of your chair, plant your feet on the floor, uncross your ankles, toes pointing forward. Lengthen up through your spine. Bring your awareness to your buttocks and shift your weight from one buttock to the other as you “butt-walk” towards the back of the chair. Your knees will automatically move forwards and backwards as you butt-walk. When you reach the back of your chair, make sure you are still sitting upright and butt-walk your way to the front of the chair. Repeat steps 2 and 3 five more times. Sit in a relaxed position and notice how your energy and body feels now.

Recharge Practice #5: The Roaring Lion Technique

When you feel your energy flagging, do this playful yoga breathing technique to ignite your energy so you can leap into action.

Here’s How to Do It…

Sit or stand comfortably. Scrunch up your face like a dried prune. Open your eyes and gaze upward. Open your mouth, stretch out your tongue, and roarrrrrrr like a lion. Repeat steps 2 to 4 three times, smile and notice how your energy and mood feel now.

As a bonus, here’s a video I recorded showing the Roaring Lion Technique.

Which of these yoga self-care techniques do you think will be the easiest for you to do?

Imagine the relief in knowing that no matter how overwhelmed you feel, you have these practical techniques on hand, ready to help you feel better at a moment’s notice.

Imagine, no more mindless multi-tasking, frantic phone calls with your team, or pointless bickering matches with your loved ones.

Imagine how productive you’ll be when you have the energy and clarity to zap through your to-do list and focus on the right tasks.