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A stressful working environment can take its toll on you both mentally and physically -which is why you need to find a way to de-stress and strengthen your mind for maximum performance. Yoga is one such tool, and you don't even need to spend hours sitting in a lotus position to get in touch with your inner self.Yoga is a workout that is both physical and philosophical, and it trains your mind and muscles to function in the most efficient way, grounding you in the process and positioning you to achieve more at work; and it opens your mind to new possibilities. If you haven't tried it before, now is a good time to start. If you're still on the fence about it, we have listed six amazing benefits of yoga to get you warmed up to the idea.

1. Yoga makes you smarter

A study by the University of Illinois found that doing 20 minutes of yoga every day can improve cognitive function, memory, and focus. In the study, one group of participants who spent 20 minutes doing yoga performed better on brain function tests, compared to the other group that did aerobic exercises. Doing yoga in the morning leaves you more prepared for the day ahead, and it might improve productivity.

2. Improves concentration & focus

A stressful job can create mental clutter that interferes with your ability to concentrate on tasks; and this can lead to bad decision-making. The breathing techniques in yoga are great for silencing your mind so you can function from a deep place of knowingness and self-assurance, and not the noisy part that is the left brain. When you silence you mind, you will always be focused and your concentration will not be interrupted.

3. Increases positivity

When you feel good mentally and emotionally, you're more likely to be successful at work. A positive mental attitude can transform your whole experience of life and give you loads of self-confidence. This makes you better at your job, and it makes your interactions with other people more positive and fruitful. Staying focused and relaxed unleashes the best version of yourself, and it encourages the people around you to reach for more. If you’re finding it hard to stay positive, yoga can help youelevate your thoughts and develop good vibrations.

4. Surge in energy levels

Stretching is an important part of yoga, and it has great benefits for the body including enhancing blood circulation, working the muscles, and reducing the many health risks of sitting down for long hours. When you incorporate yoga into your daily routine, it will help keep your energy levels high even when working in a challenging environment; and this is important for your health and productivity.You can add a few balancing poses and back bends to boost energy levels, power, strength endurance, and also to reduce fatigue.

5. Alleviates physical ailments

If you've got a problem with your back, joints, or other physical ailment that is slowing your productivity at work, then doing yoga can help you feel better now and in the long-term. Yoga can relieve severe pain, muscle stiffness, arthritis, headaches, carpal tunnel, neck strain, and other common concerns.One in five Americans experience some form of back pain, which is why health practitioners recommend doing yoga at least 3 times a week to develop back muscles, good posture, and also as a way to reduce pain in the lower back. We all know how bad it is to sit all day, but we have to because it’s our job. The best we can do is to find ways to stretch and engage the muscles to increase strength and flexibility - and yoga is the most effective at this.

6. Sack stress

One of the best effects of yoga is how it helps people cope with stress. Just one session of yoga will leave you feeling lighter, and your breath will be more steady, your focus will be better, and this will make you a more effective person. Stress manifests itself in many different ways. From back pain, neck pain, headaches, sleeping difficulty, inability to concentrate, etc.If you don't find a way to release stress, it only builds up inside and starts wreaking havoc in your life. The good thing about yoga is that it promotes mental peace and beats stress with its breathing techniques that anybody can do.It only takes a few minutes to calm down when you do restorative asanas, and you can do it anywhere including the office. It provides you a way to disconnect with the hectic work environment and reconnect with your inner, truer self. When you're healthy and focused, your work will be easy and a constant source of joy. Start practicing yoga today and see how it changes your whole perspective on life.

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