As a nurse, you do an exceptional job taking care of other people.

But have you been taking care of yourself?

If you’re feeling stressed out, physically, emotionally and mentally, maybe it’s time you practiced yoga.

Contrary to what some may believe, this is not just for contortionists, as there are other types of postures (asanas) you can perform to relax the mind and body. The most widely used style is hatha yoga, but there are others like kundalini, Ashtanga, Bikram, Anusara and many others.

If you want to give this a try, the easiest way is to join a fitness class. There are a lot of these in gyms and fitness centers. There are also a lot of YouTube videos and books so you can learn to do it at home.

Finding online resources won’t be difficult. But are you still wondering if it is worth it? Here are some of the many benefits you will experience.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Yoga is good for your arteries and heart. Your movements are isometric, meaning you have to keep the position for a few seconds or minutes at a time. This adds muscle tension that is good for your cardio. As a nurse, you’re subjected to a lot of stress, and the moves you practice will help you fight stress, both physical and mental.

Better Digestion

When you’re stressed out, eating becomes difficult and your blood flow gets affected too. By practicing these asanas, blood circulation improves. Repeated practice of these movements massages your muscles and aids in digestion.

Nurses are always busy and don’t have time to eat. Thus they end up eating odd hours and this has a detrimental effect on digestion. By doing these your digestive system gets a boost and you won’t be as likely to suffer an upset stomach.

Musculoskeletal Benefits

Unlike exercise, yoga uses gentle stretching to eliminate joint and muscle tension. It also provides relief for stiffness. In the short term, this is going to give you relief from body aches and pains caused by long hours at work.

In the long term, the benefit is better posture and eliminate back pain. It also offers relief if you spend hours on your feet, which as a nurse you do.

Nervous System

The benefits for your nervous system are numerous. As mentioned above, it improves your blood circulation, digestive system and provides muscle relief. But in addition to that, the asanas also calms your mind.

Being a nurse means dealing with the stress of working all day, caring for your patients and living your life etc. All of that will take its toll mentally, physically and emotionally. By doing this on a regular basis, you’ll feel calmer and have a more positive outlook.

Conclusion

Yoga is not just simple exercise, as it is a way of life. By making it part of your daily routines, you will feel better physically, emotionally and mentally better. This will put you in the right spot to tackle the pressures of your job and life in general.