As winter sets in, some people may suffer from weariness, strain, and unease. Some specific yoga poses can be integrated into the daily activities to combat these feelings.
Winter blues related to lack of sunlight cause seasonal affective disorder (SAD) with symptoms like low energy, mood swings, and loss of interest in any activities.
According to Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, a Yoga and Spiritual Leader, decreased exposure leads to disturbances in circadian rhythms and serotonin levels that culminate in winter blues.
Yoga is a holistic approach incorporating exercises for fitness, stress management and mood-enhancement that can be useful tools for managing such seasonal challenges.
How Yoga Can Help Manage Winter Blues
Yoga is a holistic approach that addresses multiple dimensions of human wellbeing thus proving effective in dealing with winter blues.
The practice helps reduce stressful conditions, improve moods and encourages physical exercise.
This leads to an imbalance of circadian rhythm along with serotonin levels which gives rise to SAD symptoms as indicated by Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar.
The 7 Yoga Poses to Beat Winter Blues
1. Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)
This power pose not only works out the legs and opens up the chest but it also develops stability within oneself.
Mental strength too gets enhanced as the individual goes through Warrior II which helps them face challenges associated with change in seasons.
2. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
Stretching of the back-spine while leg strengthening promotes body energy flow through Setu Bandhasana or Bridge Pose.
Stress relief is attributed to this posture making it an ideal remedy for fatigue and winter blues.
3. Child’s Pose (Balasana)
When winter becomes overwhelming it could be helpful taking refuge in Child’s Pose as its gentle stretching relaxes the back muscles and shoulders creating calmness besides enabling one focus on one’s breathing thereby reducing anxiety levels and facilitating clarity of mind.
4. Tree Pose (Vrikshasana)
Tree Pose would work to improve balance and focus keeping individuals centered in the present moment. This is also effective since it strengthens legs, ankles, and the core too for better health.
5. Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
Stretching the back spine, hamstrings and lower back through Seated Forward Bend helps to relieve tension and promote blood circulation. This pose is known to generate heat within the body during the cold season.
6. Corpse Pose (Savasana)
Corpse Pose serves as a relaxation posture that allows the body to absorb the benefits of the preceding poses.
It reduces stress levels deeply thus supporting overall wellness thus in this regard being helpful in fighting winter blues.
7. Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar)
The Sun Salutation is one such sequence of poses that warms up entire body, increases flexibility and improves circulation.
Nurturing both physical and spiritual aspects of an individual, Surya Namaskar constitutes a complete workout which ensures starting a day with positive feelings as well as vitality.
Healing Walks: A Simple Yet Effective Workout
In addition to incorporating yoga into one’s routine, taking a healing walk during the winter season emerges as a simple and effective workout.
Exposing oneself to natural light during walks raises serotonin levels hence improving moods.
Walking for 20 – 30 minutes daily has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety levels while bettering sleep quality as well as fostering mindfulness, peacefulness, calmness alongside helping those coping with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
A Holistic Approach to Winter Well-being
To conquer the winter depression lurking around and gloom, integrating a holistic approach with yoga postures and restorative strolls can go a long way in dealing with and overcoming these seasonal difficulties.
The mental-physical bond of yoga combined with refreshing aspects of outdoor walks makes individuals enjoy a whole new approach to mood enhancement, stress reduction, and general welfare during winter.
Hence, it is time for the mat to be laid out; a short walk should be taken outdoors while being guided through winter depression by holistic well-being.