Why Yoga is Perfect for the Freelance Lifestyle
March 23, 2018
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“Are you a freelancer?” is the first question I’m asked whenever I travel. “How do you earn your salary? It must be easy to work online, right?” The proper response to these questions would be “Yes, I am a freelancer, and I earn my living by working hard and staying committed to my tasks constantly. It is a challenging job that requires a lot of dedication and perseverance.” But how many people would actually understand the meaning behind my words?
People do not realize how exhausting freelancing jobs are. They think that because we are typing instead of physically working, that does not add to our tiredness. But it does, and you know it. That’s why we must constantly take care of ourselves.
We must stay healthy by eating healthy, doing exercise, and relaxing often. I know there is never enough time to do everything you’d like to, but with the right mindset, you can do almost anything.
One of the best and quickest ways to relax is by doing yoga. You can always take a short break from your tasks and stretch for a few minutes while listening to a soothing song. All you need is a mattress, a good playlist, and a willingness to begin. So, why should freelancers do yoga?
Yoga keeps us keep focused
As freelancers, we always multitask; and because we get caught up in so many projects and tasks, we end up overly exhausted at the end of the day. Sometimes, concentrating on our work becomes challenging. We simply need a break. We need to relax, and enjoy some free time – but how? With so many assignments waiting to be completed? Simple. By engaging in at least one yoga session daily.
Twenty minutes of yoga per day improves blood circulation and increases brain function. You will process information faster and easier, increase productivity, and become more efficient. Breathe in, breathe out, focus, let go of daily worries, and become free – that’s what yoga is all about.
Relaxation
Besides increased focus and perseverance, yoga also helps us relax and enjoy our alone time. Sometimes, we simply need to let everything aside and concentrate on ourselves. We might need time to think and balance all that has happened in our lives, or we might just need to take a break.
Our jobs require sensible reasoning skills, rational thinking, and constant focus. We never allow ourselves to procrastinate. That’s why it’s easy to end up stressed and tense. Yoga helps us relax and reconnect with our inner selves.
A healthy lifestyle
Studies show that yoga reduces pain and improves regular body functions. When we practice yoga, we reduce our heart rates, cure anxiety, and get better sleep. With regular exercise and stretching, we won’t feel the need to east fast foods anymore either. After a yoga session, we’ll crave healthier foods like steamed vegetables, chicken, or shrimp. Yoga will literally change the way you eat, act, feel, and behave. To be more specific, yoga will literally change your life.
Increased confidence
When we feel better, we look better, and when we look better, we gain confidence. Everything connects! During yoga sessions, you might struggle, get out of your comfort zone, or feel discouraged, but in the end, you will get over all the above issues. You’ll pain and gain. You’ll feel good about your accomplishments, and you’ll be pleased with your progress. That’s a lot of confidence right there!
Connected to the present
Most of us live the present moment without living the present. We concentrate too much on other people’s problems, regret our past decisions, or consider future plans. So, when do we actually live? Yoga opens a new perspective and gives us the chance to seize the day. When we practice yoga, we let go of all our worries and problems, and simply breathe in, breathe out, and live.
Yoga and posture
As a freelancer, you probably spend more than half of the day at your desk. If it’s not the desk, it’s your couch or bed. However, you sit in front of a computer and type for hours. That can be disadvantageous for your future body posture. You might develop the tendency to bend your shoulders to the front more often than you should. Because yoga uses specific techniques to stretch our backs and muscles, you’ll prevent bad posture from becoming a problem (and potentially transform into scoliosis?) in the long-term.
Wrapping Up
Freelancing and yoga go hand in hand. Yoga does not take a long time, can be done basically everywhere, and it is easy to learn. Freelancing is tiring and exhausting, so you must take a break every now and then. So, why not practice yoga while you take that little time off?
Looking for ways in which you could integrate yoga routine into a busy lifestyle? Book a weekend yoga retreat and learn from the best.