Meditation and yoga have a great impact on our body. Not only is it a way to a healthy mind and body but it also helps in keeping us away from certain diseases. A stress-free and healthy body comes with glowing skin. Stress affects mental as well as physical health. Stress and psoriasis have a close relation.
You might be taking medication or complementary therapy for managing psoriasis but if you do not manage your stress with it, it means nothing. Practising meditation for psoriasis might be great additional therapy but not a cure!
Read on to find out more about meditation for psoriasis!
Also read: Psoriasis On Black Skin Vs White Skin
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a long term skin condition that affects millions of people around the world. It happens due to the overproduction of new cells in the skin. There are five types of psoriasis and there is no actual cure for psoriasis. Several treatments can help and handle the symptoms that come with this condition. It usually occurs among individuals ageing 15-45 years. It is not contagious and having it for the first time might be overwhelming as the symptoms can get out of hand.
Meditation For PsoriasisThe cause of developing psoriasis is unclear as it is linked with hereditary or genetic and can be passed down through the family tree. It starts mild and gets harsher over time. The symptoms are visible on any part of the body, even the scalp. The skin becomes inflamed, red, itchy and thicker. Pimples and silvery scales can appear. Cracking behind the ears might be a symptom too. Psoriasis can be handled with proper medication and changes in lifestyle habits.
Also read: Psoriasis And Detox Diet Plan
The Connection Between Psoriasis and Stress
Psoriasis is a skin condition, so you might be thinking what is the role of stress in this condition? However, it is a fact that managing your stress levels can help you handle many skin conditions. Psoriasis isn’t just a skin condition but also an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack healthy skin cells. This results in the accumulation of skin and blood cells causing raised patches on the skin.
Stress is a normal aspect of our lives and our body reacts to stress in different ways. A common reaction involves skin inflammation and this inflammation may worsen your psoriasis. Also, people with psoriasis commonly suffer from mental issues such as depression and anxiety. This whole connection can worsen psoriasis making it hard to handle it.
How Meditation can Help in Managing Psoriasis?
Meditation For PsoriasisMeditation is a great way to keep your stress levels at bay and change the body’s way of responding to stress. This overall can help lessen the chances of developing psoriasis flare-ups. Meditation for psoriasis may actually help you in managing its symptoms.
A relief from the stress may make your body release happy hormones, offering you healthy skin. Regular meditation has proven to change the way your brain functions and responds to stimuli. This, in turn, helps in decreasing the likelihood of psoriasis flare-ups.
Also read: Finest Meditation Apps
Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease and there’s a deep connection between inflammation and stress. Meditation can relax your body and improve the body’s response. Here’s how meditation may benefit you if you have psoriasis:
- Meditation can improve the sense of well being, making you handle social challenges related to psoriasis.
- Meditation may reduce the chances of developing psoriasis flare-ups.
- Meditation may reduce the stringency of psoriasis itching.
- Meditation can improve the symptoms related to anxiety and depression which are common with people experiencing psoriasis.
- Meditation may boost confidence and encourage you to continue with psoriasis treatment.
- Meditation may improve your eating habits which can make you follow up a diet that supports psoriasis treatment.
Psoriasis isn’t curable. It can’t be remedied but it can be managed. The symptoms may come back even if they go for a period of time. Meditation is a beneficial and long term method of managing your psoriasis along with prescribed medications and mindful eating. This way meditation for psoriasis might be a good option.
Yoga for Psoriasis
Meditation For PsoriasisMeditation and yoga are closely related as they both improve mental and physical health. Just like meditation for psoriasis works, yoga might also be a good idea to manage psoriasis. Yoga for psoriasis can be accompanied by psoriasis medication for relieving its symptoms. Here are some easy yoga poses for psoriasis:
1. Child’s Pose
- Kneel on the floor with your knees about hip-distance apart.
- Relax your hips and allow them to get as close to the ground and get comfortable.
- Stretch your hands up above your head and lean forward.
- Relax and move your arms loosely to your sides if you feel comfortable.
2. Deep Breathing
- Yoga is all about rhythmic breathing. Deep breathing can help you relax. Practice it in a quiet place.
- Sit on the floor comfortably in an upright posture.
- Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose and fill your lungs with fresh air.
- Hold your breath for a few seconds and exhale slowly.
- Repeat this for 10-15 minutes.
Also read: Breathing Exercises For Anxiety
3. Salutation Seal
- Use a salutation seal in convergence with deep breathing exercises.
- Sit cross-legged on the floor and bring your hands into prayer position.
- Breathe deeply and sit straight.
- Make sure to relax.
4. Corpse Pose
- Corpse pose also known as savasana helps relax the body muscles, calms the brain, reduces blood pressure and can relieve depression and stress.
- Lie down on your back and close your eyes.
- Keep your hands on either side of the body and relax.
You may also try other yoga asanas that can do wonders to your skin if practised regularly. This includes headstand pose, shoulder stand pose, Sarvangasana, Dhanurasana, plough pose, Marichyasana, cobra pose and camel pose.
This was all about meditation for psoriasis with some yoga poses to manage this condition. You need to be consistent and have a healthy lifestyle to manage the psoriasis symptoms. Do not stress too much and give your body some time to relax and recover. This can help with psoriasis and it’s symptoms.
Also read: Pranayam & Its Health Benefits
