Stop Overthinking And Relieve Anxiety By Trying These 10 Stretches

Dec 03, 2018

Are you tired of stressing and feeling anxious all the time? And, how about all that overthinking you do? Believe it or not, there is something you can do about it! Yoga has been proven to help with stress relief. Try these 10 stretches to start opening your mind and feel that anxiety float away.

This pose is good for stretching your abs and back. It'll also help with your flexibility.

• Kneel down onto your mat. Take your hands and put them on your hips. Keep your shoulders and knees lined up. The bottoms of your feet should be facing the ceiling. Breath in and arch your back. Reach down and grab your feet while keeping your arms straight.
• Don't put strain on your neck. Only reach and bend as far as you can naturally go. Don't force it. Hold your pose for up to 1 minute.

This pose is good to stretch your chest, back, and neck.

• While laying on your back, bend up your knees. Have your feet hip length apart and keep them flat on the floor. Keep your ankles and knees in line. Breath in and raise your back up off the floor. Bend slightly forward to lift your shoulders up. Your chin will rest on the top of your chest.
• You will now lift your torso as high as you can and hold this pose for up to 1 minute.

This is a great pose for stretching the groin area and the inside of your thighs.

• While sitting up straight and tall, stretch your legs out. While bending your knees, pull your heels back toward the pelvic area. Press the soles of your feet together and allow your knees to drop to the sides. Hold this pose up to 5 minutes.

This is a great one for your anxiety. It's also good for stretching the hamstrings and your back.

• Sit up straight and tall with your legs straight out in front of you. Flex your feet by using the muscles in your foot and pulling your toes back toward your body. Hold your hands up high overhead and stretch. Breath in and bring arms forward in a slow manner. Reach as far forward as you can.
• While stretching, breath in again. When you breathe out, bend forward even more and slightly lift your head up. Repeat this stretch 3-4 times. Then, rest your head onto your legs and stay in this pose as long as you can or would like to.

This pose is great for strengthening your core.

• Sit up straight and tall with your legs out in the front. Keep your feet pointed up. While keeping your head straight, anchor your buttocks and heels to the floor. Place your hands on your hips. Inhale and exhale very deeply while pressing into the floor and holding this pose.
• You can hold this pose up to 30 seconds.

This is another one that is good for lowering your anxiety and stress levels.

• Stand straight and tall with your legs roughly 48 inches apart. Your right foot will turn to the outside of your body at a 90-degree angle and your left foot will be at a 15-degree angle. Line up your right heel with the arch on your left foot.
• Breath in deeply. When you breathe out, bend to the right side. Be sure that your waist stays straight. Reach down with your right hand to the floor and reach up towards the ceiling with your left. Both arms should be in a line.
• If reaching the floor is too much of a challenge, you can use your shin or ankle instead. Don't put any strain on your neck.
• Relax into the pose as much as you can. Take deep breaths. Exhale when coming out of the pose. Repeat on the other side.

Cow

• You'll need to get on your hands and knees on the floor. Hands will need to be placed directly under your shoulders and your knees will need to be hip length apart. Look forward. Take a deep breath in and push your tailbone up. Hold this pose for a couple of breaths.

Cat

• While remaining on all fours, breath out. Your chin will need to bend forward towards your chest. Arch your back. Hold this pose for a couple of breaths.
• Repeat both of the stretches up to 6 times.

This is an ideal stretch for the neck, back, and shoulders.

• Kneel on the floor with your feet underneath your buttocks. Place your big toes close enough together to touch. Take your arms and stretch them forward. While stretching, lean in a forward direction and spread your knees to hip length apart. Place your torso down between your thighs and rest your head onto the floor.
• If you can't go all the way to the floor, go as far as what feels comfortable. Stay in this pose as long as you would like to.

This one isn't really for a beginner so if it's too challenging, stop.

• Lay on your stomach with your legs behind you hip length apart. Bend your knees in and reach towards your ankles behind you. Pull your legs and lift up with your chest and legs.
• Hold this pose for up to 20 seconds.

This is a great way to end your stretches and give your peace.

• Lay on your back with your palms facing up. Breath in and out deeply. Let all your thoughts clear your mind.
• Stay in this pose for up to 12 minutes.

Hopefully, these stretches will have you stress-free in no time flat! Send them along to a friend you know who struggles with anxiety to help them cope.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!