Simple yoga asanas and lifestyle practices to relieve stress and anxiety

Avoid sitting for prolonged periods. Simple home exercises and stretching keeps your heart active. Get moving! (Source: Pixabay)

Oxygen, nutrients and immune cells are carried by blood. And simple movements in our day to day routine enable circulation and transport of blood to reach to every cell in the body. Movement also boosts lymph circulation, our body’s garbage disposal unit which helps to clear toxic wastes from our body. (Source: PR handout)

Daily pranayama and meditation are integral components of a wholesome yoga practice which helps your mind and soul to calm down. (Source: PR handout)

To help you get started, we have yoga expert Nishtha Bijlani demonstrating some useful practices that one can incorporate in our daily lives. (Photo: Pixabay)

Balasana or Child's Pose: Get on your knees. Rest your hips on the heels and bend forward to bring the head down to the mat. Let your hands be dropped to the sides. If you find it difficult to bring the head down, use a bolster, place it between the legs and rest your torso on it. Stay here for as long as it feels good. (Photo: Nishtha Bijlani)

Balasana is a very relaxing pose. It soothes the nervous tension in the stomach that is caused as a result of anxiety. It helps the racing thoughts to slow down.(Photo: Nishtha Bijlani)

Belly Breathing: The effects of deep conscious breathing cannot be stressed enough. It directly soothes the nervous system, helping to bring about a calm relaxed state. (Photo: Nishtha Bijlani)

Pavanmukhasana: This pose helps to release the jittery feeling in the body. It is literally like giving a hug to yourself! (Photo: Nishtha Bijlani)

Brahmari: It is also known as the humming bee breath. It has a very tranquilising effect on the mind. It promotes better sleep and slows down flow of thoughts. (Photo: Nishtha Bijlani)

Gratitude Journal: It is a very good practice to maintain a gratitude journal. You can choose to do this at the end of the day before going to bed. Think of how your day went by and find 3 things to express gratitude for. Write these down. Do this as a daily practice to see a remarkable positive difference in you. Watch your worries soon convert into happy vibes! (Photo: Nishtha Bijlani)

A person’s chronically-stressed state of mind affects their health not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well, and it is been proven that it lowers and suppresses their immunity too. (Source: Pixabay)

Coutinho concludes by saying that positive emotions can also boost one’s immunity. It is medically proven that happiness, laughter, appreciation, gratitude and hugs are immunity boosters.(Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)