Using Yoga And Diet To Preserve Your Mental And Physical Health
We live in a day and age where there is greater understanding that looking after your
mental as much as your physical health is better understood than possible ever before, but certainly in
the western world more so than recent centuries. That process of looking after yourself can mean many
things, and so we are going to take a look at some of the ways you can improve your all round health.
mental as much as your physical health is better understood than possible ever before, but certainly in
the western world more so than recent centuries. That process of looking after yourself can mean many
things, and so we are going to take a look at some of the ways you can improve your all round health.
Some of these ideas you may be familiar with and others may require more research, but bear in mind
throughout the process of caring for yourself that you can always learn more.
throughout the process of caring for yourself that you can always learn more.
Yoga
The first aspect of looking after yourself that we are going to discuss is centred around the theme of
exercise being good for your mind and body. However, our aim here is to be more specific and for that
purpose, we are going to discuss yoga from the different styles to their many benefits. While yoga is a
physical activity, it also looks at other aspects of your being such as spirituality and mental wellbeing. If
you are someone interested in the practice of the 8th chakra, for example, then you will be all too familiar
with the spiritual benefits of yoga. But that doesn’t mean you must be spiritually minded to take part in
yoga, no there are many benefits to this practice that we will look at now by breaking down the different
types.
exercise being good for your mind and body. However, our aim here is to be more specific and for that
purpose, we are going to discuss yoga from the different styles to their many benefits. While yoga is a
physical activity, it also looks at other aspects of your being such as spirituality and mental wellbeing. If
you are someone interested in the practice of the 8th chakra, for example, then you will be all too familiar
with the spiritual benefits of yoga. But that doesn’t mean you must be spiritually minded to take part in
yoga, no there are many benefits to this practice that we will look at now by breaking down the different
types.
First of all, for those of you interested in yoga these are some of the benefits:
- increased flexibility
- improved respiration, energy and
- Cardio and circulatory health improvements
- Muscle, strength and tone.
- Weight reduction
But finding the right routine for you might be the hardest part of getting started in the yoga world. Here
are some of the most popular styles that are practiced around the world.
are some of the most popular styles that are practiced around the world.
- Vinyasa Flow
Vinyasa can be customized to suit your level and encourages your body to get moving and heart
pumping. This style is considered to be a faster paced type that has a fluid format and includes
other popular styles such as Ashtanga Yoga and Power Yoga.
pumping. This style is considered to be a faster paced type that has a fluid format and includes
other popular styles such as Ashtanga Yoga and Power Yoga.
- Hatha Yoga
A beginner might find Hatha Yoga better because it focuses more on the stretches and their
effects. Similar to the above style, Hatha is a combination of several styles of yoga. However,
Hatha is considered to be the opposite of Vinyasa in so far as it is a slower style which chooses to focus on holding a pose rather than quick transitions.
effects. Similar to the above style, Hatha is a combination of several styles of yoga. However,
Hatha is considered to be the opposite of Vinyasa in so far as it is a slower style which chooses to focus on holding a pose rather than quick transitions.
- Restorative Yoga
In a similar way to Hatha style, Restorative Yoga tends to focus more on holding a pose. But, due
to the nature of helping the body rebuild, this style often comes with props to support your
movements. It also attempts to pay more attention to stretches that many find relaxing which
work to aid the restoration processes in the body.
to the nature of helping the body rebuild, this style often comes with props to support your
movements. It also attempts to pay more attention to stretches that many find relaxing which
work to aid the restoration processes in the body.
These are just three types of yoga that you can practice, either as part of a group or in a private setting.
All have different benefits, but are centered on a premise of improving your body and mind.
All have different benefits, but are centered on a premise of improving your body and mind.
Diet
Getting your body moving is fantastic for your mental and physical health, but so too is engaging in a
comprehensive diet plan. What we mean when we say this phrase is that your diet should consist of the
major food groups and meet your nutritional needs. Included in this are the
six important dietary elements that you require:
comprehensive diet plan. What we mean when we say this phrase is that your diet should consist of the
major food groups and meet your nutritional needs. Included in this are the
six important dietary elements that you require:
- Carbohydrates - The body’s major source of energy that are found in whole grains, fruits and
- vegetables.
- Protein - Also energy source, but more than that aids your body in water and pH balance and
- assists your immune system. Protein is found in nuts, milk products, and meats.
- Fat - A natural body insulator and energy provider that can be found in nuts, seeds and oil. Far
- from the bad guy of the dietary world it has been made out to be, fat has useful properties for your
- nutrition.
- Vitamins - These help your body grow and develop. Vitamins is a broad term that covers a lot of
- different types. You should ensure you have a good intake of fruits and vegetables to meet your
- body’s requirements.
- Minerals - These perform a similar role to vitamins but are divided into major and trace minerals.
