With exams and submissions all over, it’s important to give yourself credit for your accomplishments, a pat on the back is well-deserved for finishing yet another stressful semester! The long nights spent hunched over your laptops have no doubt left you with a bad back and uncomfortable neck. In the last instalment of the mindfulness series, I look at how to get rid of residual stress!
When talking about wellbeing, it is impossible to ignore the role of physical health. Many studies have shown that physical health greatly influences our mental health – this comes down to the chemicals released in our brain during exercise.
Despite being aware of the benefits of physical exercise for my mental health, exercising is often the last thing on my mind – especially not when I’m in a post-exam holiday mode! I’ve found physical activities, such as yoga, with an element of mindfulness and meditation tied in to be a nice middle ground. However, with so many types of yoga from Hatha to Yin to Vinyasa – knowing where to start can be a challenge.
If you’re looking to begin your yoga journey, why not try a modern variation of yoga – aerial yoga? Aerial yoga originated in New York – it uses a hammock/yoga swing to allow for greater mobility as it allows students to perform postures that might not be possible on a yoga mat!
Aerial Yoga Perth owner, Sharon is passionate about spreading the love and awareness of aerial yoga. Aerial yoga is thought to be particularly beneficial for students who spend a long time sitting, perfect for University students like us. Concerned about my flexibility (or lack thereof), I asked about pre-requisites when starting and Sharon assured me that aerial yoga can be performed by people with all levels of fitness!
Aerial yoga is a great way to treat your body and mind as it not only has physical benefits such as increasing flexibility and strengthening muscles but also has mental benefits such as improving focus and increases the release of endorphins and serotonin.
Push away your doubts, challenge yourself and give aerial yoga a go – you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what your body can do!
It’s been a pleasure beginning this mindfulness journey together with you! I hope this mini series has been helpful and that there were some tips you found helpful and easy to incorporate into your everyday life. Stay safe, happy & healthy!