People go on and on about how stress isn’t always a bad thing, and that a small amount of stress can actually enhance your performance at work by helping you stay focused and energized. But what about excessive amounts of stress – the kind that leaves you feeling paralyzed, irritable, and physically ill? Stress, a good thing? Puh-lease.
When you reach a point where stress starts doing more harm than good, it is important that you regain control. But how do you do that? Vent to everyone you know? Go home, pour yourself a tall one, and retreat into a place where nothing matters anyway? Order delivery, hide under your covers, and call it a night? There has got to be a better way!
If you’re using coping mechanisms like these to take the edge off, make today the day you find a healthier way to combat stress. You needn’t wander far to find it. In fact, you can stay seated right where you are. Here are three yoga poses you can do at your desk that can help reduce stress:
Seated Pigeon Pose
This is a great way to open up your hips, (and open your mind to a new way of dealing with stress). Start with both feet flat on the floor. Cross your right leg over your left and give your knee a hug. Keep your right foot flexed to take pressure off your knee. Twist your upper body towards your right. You should feel a moderate stretch on your thigh. Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.
Seated Reed Pose
Here’s one that you might already be doing subconsciously when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Stretch your arms towards the ceiling and interlace your fingers with your palms facing upward. Inhale deeply through your nose, slowly exhale and lean to your right. Come back to the center, and repeat on the left side holding for the same amount of breaths. It’s all about balance.
Upward Dog Desk Pose
This pose involves standing up and using your desk. Place your hands shoulder width apart on your desk and step backwards until your back is flat. Inhale through your nose and raise your chest towards the ceiling. You’ll notice that you will naturally go on your tippy-toes. You should feel a moderate stretch in your lower back, and it should feel fantastic.
Closing
From managing a heavy workload to meeting strict deadlines, stress happens to the best of us. People do yoga because it increases blood flow, ups heart rate, and drops blood pressure. All this stuff helps to enhance mood and decrease stress. Of course, you can’t roll out a mat at work for a 90-minute yoga session, but you can take a minute to regain control. Those are just three quick and easy yoga poses that you can do. There are many. How do find your inner yogi at work? Let us know in the comments section below. Namaste.
People go on and on about how stress isn’t always a bad thing, and that a small amount of stress can actually enhance your performance at work by helping you stay focused and energized. But what about excessive amounts of stress – the kind that leaves you feeling paralyzed, irritable, and physically ill? Stress, a good thing? Puh-lease.
When you reach a point where stress starts doing more harm than good, it is important that you regain control. But how do you do that? Vent to everyone you know? Go home, pour yourself a tall one, and retreat into a place where nothing matters anyway? Order delivery, hide under your covers, and call it a night? There has got to be a better way!
If you’re using coping mechanisms like these to take the edge off, make today the day you find a healthier way to combat stress. You needn’t wander far to find it. In fact, you can stay seated right where you are. Here are three yoga poses you can do at your desk that can help reduce stress:
