Your go-to remedies may include tissues, cough syrup, and a thermometer if you have a stuffy nose, body aches, and an overall feeling of being poorly. However, have you ever thought about unfolding your yoga mat? Yoga poses are well renowned for their ability to relieve a variety of symptoms, from nasal congestion to stomach discomfort. However, you might not always equate yoga with easing the symptoms of a typical cold or flu symptoms.
Can stretching truly help when you’re feeling under the weather? Absolutely! In reality, it is supported by scientific data. Regular yoga practice has been connected to lessened inflammation, making it a useful addition to the toolset for those who are at risk of or dealing with inflammatory disorders, according to a 2018 review.
In addition, a 2013 study involving 120 individuals receiving their first round of chemotherapy discovered that yoga practice decreased nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and despair. Yoga’s beneficial effects on the digestive system and its capacity to raise parasympathetic activity were cited as the causes of this.
Whether you practice yoga every morning or only occasionally stretch, some positions can address particular ailments and provide comfort. Here are seven yoga poses you can attempt to unwind naturally:
Supported Child’s Pose
This calming position can ease motion sickness. Kneel on your mat with a pillow or bolster in front of you, positioned lengthwise. Leaning forward, spread your legs wide, place your hips back on your heels, and cover the cushion or bolster with your upper body. As you reach for the top of your mat, extend your arms.
Legs Up the Wall
This straightforward inversion pose can lower leg and foot edema, enhance circulation, and reduce stress. Face a wall while seated, lay on one side with your head and shoulders on the ground, then turn over onto your back. Bring your tailbone up against the wall while raising your legs. Hold that position for up to twenty minutes.
Modified Camel Pose
If you suffer from chest congestion, exercises like the Camel Pose can help to remove the congestion. Kneel with your knees hip-width apart, slightly sway back, put your hands on your lower back, and, if it’s comfortable, tilt your head backwards.
Cobra Pose
Cobra Pose opens the chest, enabling deeper breathing and perhaps easing chest pain and congestion. With your hands supporting your shoulders, elevate your chest off the floor while lying on your stomach.
Downward-Facing Dog
This traditional position supports blood flow to the sinuses while stretching the hamstrings, calves, and Achilles tendons. Inflamed nasal passages and other allergy symptoms can be effectively treated with it.
Rag Doll Pose
Because tension in the upper body has been related to headaches, postures that relax the shoulders, neck, and upper back, like Rag Doll, can be beneficial. Raise your arms while standing with your feet hip-width apart. Next, bend at the waist and let your upper body hang.
Shoulder Stand or Plow Pose might help relieve stress and calm the digestive tract if you’re having digestive problems. Keep in mind to execute them carefully.
When you’re not feeling your best, incorporating these moderate yoga poses into your regimen can significantly speed up your recovery and increase your sense of stability, strength, and freshness.