We all know how it feels to be frazzled.

Our minds are racing, we feel tense and anxious for no reason, and we can’t seem to slow down.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association’s annual Stress in America survey, eight out of 10 adults report feeling stressed at least once per day.

But what if there were a way to calm the mind and relax the body? Get ready to don your Lycra leggings, my friends, and hit the yoga mat.

Yoga is an ancient practice that combines physical and mental exercises to promote overall well-being. And while you may think of yoga as just a form of exercise, it can do much more for your mind and body.

Go from frazzled to fabulous with these 4 benefits of yoga:

1. Yoga improves your breathing

When we’re feeling stressed, our breathing becomes shallow and rapid. This shallow breathing doesn’t bring enough oxygen to the body and can make us feel even more anxious.

Yoga helps to improve your breathing by teaching you how to breathe deeply from the abdomen. This deep abdominal breathing has been shown to lower blood pressure, slow the heart rate and promote relaxation. It also triggers your parasympathetic nervous system to kick in to help you transition back into a relaxed state of mind.

2. Yoga increases mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Research has shown that mindfulness can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

Yoga helps to increase mindfulness by promoting focus and concentration. As you focus on your breath and movement during yoga, you’ll begin to notice when your mind starts to wander. Over time, this awareness will help you be more mindful in other areas of your life.

3. Yoga relieves muscle tension

One of the effects of stress is muscle tension. When we’re stressed, our muscles tighten up as a way to protect us from perceived threats. This muscle tension can lead to headaches, back pain and even jaw pain.

Yoga helps to relieve tension by stretching and lengthening the muscles. Your muscles will slowly relax and release any built-up tension as you hold each yoga pose.

4. Yoga can help you sleep better

Stress can also disrupt our sleep. When you’re stressed, you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night, leading to fatigue and even more stress.

Yoga can help improve our sleep by calming the mind and body. Some yoga poses, such as the corpse pose, are specifically designed to promote relaxation and sleep. And the deep breathing that you learn in yoga can also help you fall asleep more easily at night.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for a way to reduce stress and promote relaxation, yoga may be the perfect solution. So grab those leggings and give it a go.

You’ll go from frazzled to fabulous in no time (but you need to commit to a weekly schedule).