Tag: physical

September is National Yoga Awareness month

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Supporting one’s health involves more than just dietary health, it also involves physical and mental wellness. This awareness month is designed to help educate people about the health benefits of yoga and inspire a healthy lifestyle. This dedicated month was created in 2008 by the Department of Health and Wellness. Although there are many types of yoga, the activity has been growing in popularity and does have some health benefits. 

What are the health benefits of yoga?

  1. Increased flexibility 
  2. Increased muscle strength 
  3. A focus on breathing 
  4. Mental benefits

According to the American Osteopathic Association’s website: “The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body,” (Natalie Nevins, DO, a board-certified osteopathic family physician and certified Kundalini Yoga instructor in Hollywood, California).

More information can be found from: https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/benefits-of-yoga/ 

How do I get involved? 

If you’re interested in trying yoga, it is very easy to get involved. All you need to do is just start it with a little guidance.  That guide can be found in the form of a class or a virtual teacher. Search your nearby area for yoga studios, or look online for yoga instructors with videos. Need equipment? To get started, all you need is a yoga mat. They can be easily found online or in athletic stores. If you want to get more involved with equipement, you can also buy blocks, weights, or elastic bands. But to start, a yoga mat is perfect. 

Yoga is for all. 

Yes. Yoga should always be an activity that states do as much as your body can allow and feel comfortable to do. The yoga routine will not be the same for everyone, because everyone’s body is different. Some weeks, you will be more sore in your legs, so focus your energy on stretching your legs. If you can’t do a stretch, don’t.  Yoga is for acknowledging and reconnecting with your body.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeannecroteau/2019/09/02/september-is-national-yoga-month–how-you-can-get-started/?sh=643dc0bb2b30

Self-Care & COVID-19

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Now more than ever is it important to quiet yourself and ask, “What do I need right now?”. Sometimes the answer might be to watch some Netflix and eat some ice cream, and sometimes it might be to journal about your feelings and experiences and cry. It is important to realize that we are going through a collectively traumatic experience, and that not everyone will be able to be as productive as they might have been before the pandemic. Not everyone will be able to do everything that they promised before the pandemic, and that’s okay. What’s most important is to remember that there are people who care about you, and that there are many tools for how to cope throughout this experience, and to know that it won’t last forever.

Here, I will share some helpful self-care options to add to your mental, physical, and emotional toolkit. Not all of these options may work for you, but I hope that this can help you to know that there are ways to help yourself during this time.

Self-care options:

  1. Feel your feelings
    • This can be done by journaling, talking to a trusted professional, loved one, or friend, and even by allowing yourself to sit with the emotions that come up. It may be uncomfortable at first, but it will help you work through the stress and anxiety that may be coming up with the uncertainty that COVID-19 brings.
  2. Go Outside & Move
    • Getting your daily dose of Vitamin D has shown to help mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders. Spending anywhere between 10-30 minutes everyday to every couple of days is sufficient enough, but it depends on your skin tone and whether you are already deficient in Vitamin D. As for movement, it is important to remember to move as much as possible, whether it is to walk your dog outside everyday or to have routine exercises imbedded in your new schedule, whether they’re done inside or outside.
  3. Prioritize Sleep
    • Make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night! Naps are encouraged, being on high-alert is exhausting!
  4. Talk to a Friend/Family Member/Trusted Professional
    • Text/FaceTime/Call anyone you’d like to talk to! Everyone could use a friend right now.
  5. Lean Into Your Happy
    • Do you enjoy having coffee with a friend? Watching movies? Making art? Reading endless amounts of books? Lean into those things! Whatever makes you happy is worth having a spot in your everyday life.

You would be surprised at how helpful it is to add these things into your daily schedule! You deserve happiness, care, and your health. Also, please remember to practice safe social distancing practices during this time to keep others happy and healthy. If you have any health-related questions or concerns, please call the clinic at (901) 306-5433. I hope this helps, stay healthy and safe!

–The Wellness & Stress Clinic Team