Stress and anxiety can have a profound affect on your blood pressure. When you are stressed out, the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, known as the fight-or-flight response, tends to take over while the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for rest and digest, lies dormant. Forward bends and gentle restorative poses can help to balance out the autonomic nervous system, which will help you to relieve stress and lower your blood pressure.
Forward Bend
Forward bend has many medicinal benefits, reports "Yoga Journal," including relieving stress and mild depression, calming the brain, reducing blood pressure, fatigue and anxiety and helping with headaches and insomnia. Stand with your feet together, knees and big toes should be touching. Bend at your hips and bring your torso toward your thighs, while your head is reaching for the floor. Place your hands on the floor, or on yoga blocks if they do not reach the floor. Forward bend will help to stretch your hamstrings, but if the pressure is too great on the back of your legs, you may bend your knees. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.
Seated Forward Bend
Along with helping to relieve high blood pressure, seated forward bend can help with stress, mild depression, infertility, insomnia, sinusitis, anxiety and fatigue, according to "Yoga Journal." Sit on your yoga mat with your torso and spine upright and tall and your legs extended straight out in front of you. Bend at the hips and bring your chest toward your thighs. Take hold of your feet, ankles or shins, depending on where you are able to reach. If you have trouble reaching any part of your lower leg, use a yoga strap to assist you. Make sure to keep your back straight while in the forward bend. Hold for one to three minutes.
Wide-Legged Forward Bend
Wide-legged forward bend, says "Yoga Journal," calms the brain while it stretches your hips and the back of your legs. Stand with your feet approximately two to three feet apart, and with both feet facing forward. Bend at your hips and bring the top of your head to the floor while your torso moves toward your thighs. Place your hands on the floor below your head. Your hands and feet should be in one straight line. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.
Savasana
Savasana is designed to let you completely relax. Lie on your back on your yoga mat with your legs extended in front of you. Your feet should be hip-width apart and relaxed out to the sides. Your arms should be relaxed on the floor and extended alongside your torso with your palms facing up. Close your eyes and focus on your breath for three to five minutes.
