Relieve Stress, Anxiety & Depression with these Relaxing Pranayamas

Breaking routine can add to fear, which is exactly what we are facing in this Quarantine period. At present when we're forced to remain indoors, it's natural at times for the mind to emit negativity in the form of STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, SLEEP DISTURBANCE, AND MOST IMPORTANT MOOD SWINGS. Reason can be anything, money, job, business all leads to insecurity.

Check these very helpful pranayamas shared by Dr. Naveen Dikshit, an Ayurveda Consultant (for 23 years) from Matoshree's Abhyanga Ayurveda Spa & Retreat, Mumbai to help overcome this problem.

1. BHRAMARI PRANAYAM:

• Place your thumbs on the cartilage between your cheek and ear
• Place your index & middle fingers gently over your eyes with the tips of your fingers between your inner eye and the bridge of your nose
• Place the tip of your ring finger gently above your nostrils and your pinky fingers just above your upper lip

Benefits: Bhramari pranayama is effective in instantly calming down the mind. It is one of the best breathing exercises to free the mind of frustration, anxiety and depression to a great extent.

2. LAUGHING PRANAYAM:

Laughter is the best medicine
Go ahead and give it a try. Turn the corners of your mouth up into a smile and then give a laugh, even if it feels a little forced.

Benefits: Whenever we get stressed or experience negative emotions our breathing becomes irregular and shallow, thus affecting the flow of prana in our body. Laughter helps reverse that process.

3. ANULOM VILOM PRANAYAM:

• Anulom Vilom Pranayam is an alternate breathing technique.
• Close your eyes.
• Breathe in from left nostril closing right nostril with thumb and breathe out from right nostril closing left nostril with the ring finger and middle finger.

Benefits: Anulom Vilom pranayama are infinite as they have the healing power of many serious health conditions, improves heart health, and helps in curing other diseases such as asthma, depression, migraine, high blood pressure.

4. SHAVASANA PRANAYAM:

• Shavasana Mrtasana, is an asana in hatha yoga, a meditative posture in which one lies on one's back facing upwards
• It is an exercise often used for relaxation at the end of a session.
• It is the usual pose for the practice of yoga Nidra meditation.

Benefits: The brain helps relieve stress and Relaxes the body. Reduces headaches, fatigue, and insomnia.

The above-mentioned gifts of Ayurveda can be remedial in nature and effectively help us overcome all stress-related problems during this quarantine period.