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A well-rounded exercise plan is essential for nourishing all aspects of your body. It is one thing to do movements that benefit your body, but activities accompanied by care for the mind and soul are even better. Self-care can be done during your active hours of the day.
Here are some holistic exercise methods that nourish the mind, body, and soul.
Holistic Way to Exercise
Yoga
Yoga is the perfect exercise to find harmony. It soothes the mind and moves the body in a gentle yet challenging way. Practicing yoga after a long day stimulates and relaxes you while relieving everyday stress.
Many styles of yoga benefit people of all ages and fitness levels. Doing yoga as a physical practice can help in many ways, including improving flexibility. Postures involve movements that help muscles become flexible and strong. Yoga can be done in a class setting or at home. These are some common poses you can do anywhere.
- Child’s pose: Kneel and sit on your knees with them slightly apart. Lean forward and fold your arm in front of you on the floor, resting your forehead or chest on a pillow.
- Supported bridge: Lie on your mat with blocks or a blanket under your lower back. Place your arms by your sides and press your feet into the floor. Arch, so your ribcage is up.
- Savasana: Lay flat on the floor with your palms facing up. Place a pillow under your knees or neck for comfort and support.
Yoga is also used as a mental practice with just as many benefits. It reduces anxiety and stress levels that can occur in everyday life. When made a part of your lifestyle, it can declutter your mind and let you achieve higher relaxation. It also improves concentration since there is a heavy mind-body connection when doing yoga. Concentration is a great skill to have in all aspects of life.
Spiritually, yoga promotes mindfulness so you can be fully present while practicing. Getting in touch with your body and world and being in the moment can reduce worries and bring you inner peace. No matter what you are facing, yoga can help you deal with it by decreasing pain and improving confidence.
Travel
You might not think of travel as a form of exercise, but it can be in many ways. While some vacations are meant for rest and relaxation, there are countless destinations that are perfect for an active experience.
Venture to a national park to go hiking or camping. Surrounding yourself with the natural wonders of the world – and taking the opportunity to disconnect from everything else – can be a nourishing experience for both body and mind.
Traveling to new countries can also help grow your mind and soul. You can immerse yourself in another culture and learn about their customs and practices. Plan your trip to align with a festival or holiday, like Diwali or Chinese New Year. You’ll get a workout in just by walking and exploring, and you’ll open up your mind and soul to new experiences and rituals.
Pilates
Most people participate in pilates because it helps strengthen and tone muscles. It also has mental benefits that go with helping your body look and feel its best. Pilates emphasizes breathing, focus and mindfulness to strengthen the mind and body bond. The movements are intense enough to give you a workout while reducing stress.
Pilates is designed to be a mindful practice. It encourages you to focus on the current moment and better understand yourself. Your concentration will improve as you focus intensely on your surroundings and body movement.
The breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety and panic attacks. It restores your emotional balance since you can disconnect from your hectic daily life and unwind briefly. Pilates is an excellent holistic exercise that strengthens your body and improves mental clarity.
Restorative Activities
Body movements don’t always have to be intense to be beneficial. Simple restorative practices can speed up muscle recovery when you need a break.
Some options could be doing stretches like:
- Legs up the wall: Find a sturdy door or wall and lay facing up. Put your legs straight up against the wall so the bottoms of your feet face the ceiling. Relax but don’t lock your knees as you feel the stretch in your hamstrings.
- Seated cat-camel: Sit on the edge of a seat. Place your hands on your thighs and bend your upper back forward while tucking your chin. Hold and then reverse the position.
- Seated pec stretch: Start by sitting tall, and reach your hands behind you. Clasp your fingers and feel the stretch. Try lifting them for a deeper extension.
You can also use foam rollers to target tense areas of your body. They require you to roll back and forth to improve circulation. Although it is not technically exercising, you are still doing something intentionally to help your body feel its best and reduce tension.
The power of stillness is a great way to connect with your body without intense exercise. Breathing techniques are a mindful way to practice nourishing your body and mind if you struggle with anxiety. You can feel the tension being released as you do them. A great one to try is taking a full deep breath, holding it and then taking a sharp second breath to fill the lungs. Release the air and savor the relaxation.
Any Outdoor Activity
Nature is one of the best places to spend time in. The physiological response to being outside supports physical and emotional wellness. Connecting with the outdoors and enjoying the sunshine will boost your mood and help you feel great.
Being outside acts as a natural antidepressant. It can help people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder because of the serotonin from sunshine. Plus, exercise produces endorphins to make you feel good.
Some people are not comfortable with going to a gym. Outdoor exercise eliminates this anxiety and gives you a stress-free environment to get movement in. The best part is that so many types of exercise can be done outside. You can run, walk, play a sport or practice yoga.
It is also a great opportunity to invite friends to participate in exercise with you. Working out can feel daunting when doing it alone, and having a partner to enjoy the benefits with is excellent motivation. Social interaction nourishes your soul.
Try These Holistic Ways to Exercise
Wanting to improve your mind, body, and soul is already a step in the right direction. You can choose from many options of holistic ways to exercise to help you feel great. Feeling balanced will make you feel your best.
Cora Gold
Contributor
Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of Revivalist magazine, a publication dedicated to happy, healthy, and mindful living.
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