How Yoga Can Change Your Health

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Yoga is a form of exercise that’s been growing in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. Even though some may think that yoga is all about stretching or spirituality, the truth is there is much more to it than that, and that it can help improve your health in multiple ways. If you’re curious about giving yoga a try, here are some of the things a regular yoga practice can do for you.

Helps You Make Better Diet Choices

One of the top unexpected side effects of doing yoga regularly is that it can help you make better diet choices. This is due partly to the fact that doing yoga on a regular basis helps you get more in touch with your body and the physical sensations that you experience. The more aware you are of these sensations, the more likely you are to notice when a food makes you feel bloated or otherwise uncomfortable. Over time, this increased awareness of how foods affect you will often lead you to making better, healthier food choices. Additionally, taking a supplement while doing yoga can help increase these benefits. However, it can be a good idea to do some research on thrive side effects to make sure you select the right one for you.

Increases Flexibility and Muscle Tone

Some benefits that many are more aware of when it comes to yoga is how it can increase your flexibility and muscle tone. Yoga can be great for gently improving your flexibility over time, and expanding your range of motion. Not only that, but it can be beneficial for spinal health and your posture, too. Also, depending on whether you focus your yoga practice on gentle stretching or more athletic, muscle building poses, it can be a great way to increase strength and stay in shape, too.

Improves Energy Levels

Yoga, whether it’s gentle yoga or power yoga, can be a great way to boost energy levels and fight fatigue. This is because a big component of yoga is focusing on the breath. In some cases poor energy levels can be due in part to a lack of sufficient oxygen reaching the brain and other important organs. When you do yoga, and begin breathing properly, it can provide an energizing rush of oxygen. Not only that, but it can also improve blood flow, especially to your digestive system and other organs. When your organs are receiving the blood flow and oxygen they need, it can mean improved function and ultimately better energy levels.

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Reduces Stress

A top benefit of yoga is that it can be an effective stress buster. This is due largely to the fact that during yoga, lots of emphasis is placed on tuning in to your breath and breathing deeply. Slow conscious breathing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to calm your nervous system quickly. With regular practice, over time you can help improve your body’s resistance to stress. While you may not be able to reduce the stress you experience in life, with yoga you can help yourself withstand it better, and recover from its effects on your body more quickly.

Improves Sleep

While some may be aware of yoga’s calming effects, they may not realize that it can be great for getting better sleep, too. Because yoga is great at reducing stress and slashing stress hormones, like cortisol, in your system it can be great for helping you fall into deeper and more restful sleep at night, too. Also, it can be particularly helpful if you practice a calming form of yoga, like yin yoga, right before bed. There has been some research that suggests those who spend at least 10 minutes before bed doing gentle stretches sleep more soundly at night.

The Bottom Line

Yoga is a popular form of exercise for a reason. While some may thing that it’s mostly a spiritual practice, or that it’s just about improving flexibility, there can be a wide variety of benefits. Not only is it a great way to stretch and build muscle tone, but it can be great for things like reducing stress and improving energy levels as well.