7 Easy Restorative Yoga Poses For Nurses
Every nurse is well aware of the exponential stress that comes with patient care during a 12-hour shift. However, it’s disheartening to see that many nurses fail to prioritize their own well-being with the same tenderness and kindness they extend to their patients. (I have previously discussed the importance of nurses incorporating yoga into their routines.)
Yoga encompasses more than mere physical exercise; it offers caregivers a means of practicing self-care and promotes their ability to provide even better care for their families, patients, and themselves.
Restorative yoga serves as an invaluable tool for nurses to reconnect with themselves and facilitate the rejuvenation of their bodies following a demanding 12-hour shift dedicated to patient care.
(The information on this post is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is meant for educational and informational purposes only. You should always consult your physician before starting any exercise program. You can read our disclosure policy here.)
Here Are 7 Easy Restorative Yoga Poses For Nurses:
#1. Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Child’s Pose
Health Benefits of Child’s Pose For Nurses:
- Releases tension in the back, shoulders, and chest
- Helps alleviate stress and anxiety
- Stretches the spine
- Relieves neck and lower back pain when performed with the head and torso supported
- Gently stretches the hips, thighs, and ankles (gently is the key)
- Stretches muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the knee
- Calms the mind and body
#2. Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana)
Happy Baby Pose
Health benefits of Happy Baby Pose for nurses:
- Opens hips, inner thighs, and groin
- Releases lower back and sacrum
- Stretches the hamstrings
- Relieves lower back pain
- Calms the brain
- Helps to relieve stress and fatigue
#3. Supine Spinal Twist(Jathara Parivartanasana)
Supine Spinal Twist
Health benefits of Supine Spinal Twist for nurses:
- Brings blood flow to the spine, hips, and shoulders
- Stretches the hips, glutes, abs, back, chest, shoulders and neck
- Opens the upper body
- Helps alleviate lower back pain
- Helps correct poor posture
#4. Reclined Goddess Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)
Reclined Goddess Pose
Health Benefits of Reclined Goddess Pose For Nurses:
- Opens the shoulders & chest
- Opens the groin, inner thighs, and hips
- Helps relieve stress and anxiety
#6. Legs Up The Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)
Legs Up The Wall Pose
Health Benefits of Legs Up The Wall Pose For Nurses:
- It reduces edema in the legs and feet
- Relieves tired leg muscles
- Helps reverse the effects of gravity and may help digestion
- Calms the nervous system
- Calms the mind
#7. Supported Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
Supported Bridge Pose
Benefits of Supported Bridge Pose for Nurses:
- Stretches and opens the chest, spine, and hips
- Improves circulation
- Helps to relieve stress
- It improves digestion and stimulates the abdominal organs.
- Stimulates the thyroid gland
- Reduces anxiety and fatigue
- Helps relieve lower back pain
- Calms the brain and nervous system
#8. Dead Body Pose (Shavasana)
Dead Body Pose
Benefits Of Dead Body Pose For Nurses:
- Relaxes the whole body
- Calms the nervous system
- Quiets the mind
Additional recommended reading: Tired Nurse Health Tips: When Sufficient Sleep Isn’t Possible
Conclusion
Yoga makes you feel good. And you deserve it, nurse!
Nurses need to experience what it is like to feel good in their own skin. Yoga empowers nurses to create a happier, healthier, and more productive work environment by making us the best version of ourselves.
For better or worse, nurses serve as role models in the healthcare community. We need to practice what we preach. Why would a patient listen to our advice on how to live a healthy life if we are not living one ourselves?
Here Are a Few Tools to Get You Started With Your Yoga Practice:
Yoga Mat
I love this yoga mat. The quality is very good for the price. I have this exact mat in my living room and after two years, it still looks brand new. It is soft with a relatively nice thickness compared to other yoga mats I have tried. In addition, it has nice grooves that keep the mat in place.
Yoga Blocks (With Strap Included)
Yoga straps are useful for all levels of yoga practice and can provide support, help with alignment and improve posture. In addition, I love the Manduka cork yoga blocks because I have had mine for six years, and they still look brand new! Unlike foam blocks, these don’t disintegrate over time due to sweat and regular use. They are also heavier and more sturdy with a trustworthy grip. It is a good idea to purchase two because many yoga poses require the need for two blocks.
Additional Recommended Reading For Nurses Who Need More Self-Care:
