Hi there! I’m Libby Trickett, Olympic gold medalist swimmer, and insufferable yoga enthusiast.
Throughout my swimming career, I’ve learned the importance of taking care of both my physical and mental health, and for me, that’s where yoga comes in.
I’ve personally experienced the benefits of yoga for managing depression and anxiety, and I’m here to share my story and the research behind why yoga can be such an effective tool for reducing anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety is a common condition that affects so many people, myself included. It can cause constant worrying, difficulty sleeping, physical symptoms like heart palpitations and muscle tension, and impact daily activities and relationships. I’ve found that incorporating yoga into my routine has helped me manage my anxiety and improve my overall well-being, and generally become a better Bish.
Here are just a few of the many benefits of yoga for reducing anxiety:
- Calms the Mind and Body One of the most immediate benefits of yoga is the calming effect it has on both the mind and body. The combination of physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditation helps to reduce tension in the body and calm the mind, lowering cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress and anxiety. This can result in a sense of relaxation and reduced symptoms of anxiety.
- Promotes Mindfulness
Yoga is all about being present in the moment and becoming aware of your thoughts and emotions. By focusing on your breath and physical movements during yoga, you can help to calm the mind and reduce distracting thoughts, improving overall mental clarity and reducing symptoms of anxiety. - Improves Sleep
Anxiety can often make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, and poor sleep can worsen anxiety symptoms. Practicing yoga can help promote better sleep by reducing stress and calming the mind, as well as through specific yoga postures designed to relax the body and promote deep sleep. - Builds Physical Strength and Flexibility
In addition to its mental health benefits, yoga also improves physical health. By practicing yoga postures, you can build strength and flexibility, which can improve posture and reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, such as muscle tension and headaches. - Boosts Confidence
Anxiety can often be accompanied by feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. By practicing yoga and building physical strength and flexibility, you can increase your confidence and feel better about yourself. Additionally, by taking control of your breathing and mindfulness during yoga, you can develop a greater sense of control over your thoughts and emotions, which can boost self-confidence and reduce symptoms of anxiety. - Encourages Positive Thinking
Anxiety can cause negative thoughts and worry to become persistent, which can significantly impact mental health. By practicing yoga and mindfulness, you can train your mind to focus on the present moment and become more aware of negative thoughts. This increased self-awareness can help you to challenge and reframe negative thinking, promoting positive thoughts and reducing symptoms of anxiety.
I think in conclusion, that I clearly, highly recommend incorporating yoga into your routine as a natural and effective way to manage anxiety.
From my own experience and the research, the benefits of yoga for reducing anxiety are clear.
It can calm the mind and body, promote mindfulness, improve sleep, build physical strength and flexibility, boost confidence, and encourage positive thinking. Because we all want to become better bishes.
Give yoga a try and see how it can improve your mental health and overall well-being. You could start with the 21 days of yoga in our Unlock Potential Membership. They are super simple yoga flows, perfect for beginners, ranging from 5-25 minutes. I think you’ll love it as much as I do.
Let’s GEDDIT, together!
Love, Libby x
