Between August 2016 and January 2017, Americans' stress levels rose for the first time in 10 years, mostly because of the current political climate, according to the American Psychological Association. You probably don't need scientific survey results to tell you that, though: Look no further than social media, the workplace or even your own dinner table for an earful of political pontificating. Political tension divides families and friends, and it's impossible to ignore.
None of this stress and anxiety is good for your well-being, especially if you feel powerless. But while politics and the challenges they present are not going to go away, you can control how you respond. Yoga, for one, is a creative and efficient way to handle your political woes. When you feel hopeless and overwhelmed, yoga keeps you grounded and mentally prepared for all of the bureaucratic battles that arise. Here's how:
Yoga teaches you to pause and observe what's happening before you respond. In class, you need to listen to instruction carefully and then make a decision to move into a position slowly and mindfully. This skill translates to handling uncomfortable political conversations with grace. Through practice, you can train yourself to listen first, digest what the other person is saying and then speak honestly and compassionately. Taking a breath and thinking before you speak will become natural and help you avoid saying things you regret. You will not necessarily agree with the other person, but through yoga, you can learn to respond in a way that is respectful.
2. Yoga teaches you to hold true to your beliefs.
A misconception about yoga is that it's mostly meant to make you more flexible and open. But the practice demands strength first to protect you as you open your body and mind. That strength can be helpful off the mat. If someone pushes his or her political agenda on you, for example, you'll be able to be polite without being a pushover. Yoga teaches you to be confident and take a purposeful stance, whether it's physical or philosophical.
3. Yoga opens your mind.
Our political system effectively divides us. While you want to be true to who you are and what you believe in, you also need to take into consideration other people's views. Yoga challenges you to be open, particularly in those moments that you want to shut down and resist. For example, when you want to give up in a class or the teacher instructs a pose you hate, pushing forward strengthens your ability to recognize challenges, stay present and stick with it – on and off the mat.
4. Yoga helps you recognize when to let go.
Yoga is humbling. Just when you think you have made some headway in your practice, you learn about a more advanced progression that seems impossible. To handle that truth, yogis learn to detach from their egos enough to realize it's OK to not be the best in the class. This self-awareness helps you take a deep breath and a step back if you notice, say, you're clenching your jaw and short of breath while someone is talking about politics.
The archetypal yogi is dedicated to service because the practice helps people recognize their strengths, cultivate them through practice and go out into the world to help others. If you are bothered by the way politics are being handled then, yoga can boost your drive and ability to do something about it. Whether you campaign for office or encourage others to vote, if you are feeling diminished and victimized by politics, the worst thing you can do is nothing at all.
6. Yoga gives you the comfort of a routine.
When the weight of the political world seems to beat you down, yoga is a reliable tool to keep you grounded. If you practice enough, it becomes second nature. Developing a short practice you can do anywhere can give you peace when everything else seems chaotic. Just get your body moving, connect to your breath and finish with a couple of breaths on your back with your eyes closed. You will go about the rest of your day refreshed.
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