Exercises to help manage mood swings

There is a reason why women are considered to be more emotional and temperamental than men. A woman's system is very different from a man's as the hormone levels are constantly fluctuating. And mood swings are a result of this imbalance in hormonal levels. These techniques will take the edge out of your mood swings and strong emotions. They will help you cope with your mood swings with awareness and detachment.

Caution: Those suffering from high blood pressure should not hold their breath in Exercise 1.  Those with cervical spondylosis, high blood pressure, vertigo and heart problems should avoid Exercise 3.

Exercise 1a, b

• Sit with your legs stretched and back straight

• Sit in padmasana. Place the left hand on the knee

• Bend the forefinger and the middle finger of your right hand

• Place your thumb between the eyebrows and press the ring finger on the left nostril. Breathe in through the right nostril and hold your breath

• Reverse the positions. Place the ring finger between both eyebrows and press the right nostril with the thumb. Exhale through the left nostril

• Now inhale through the left nostril, holding your breath

• Reverse the position of the fingers, as in step 3. Exhale through the right nostril

• Repeat 10 -12 times.

Exercise 2

• Sit in padmasana. Place your palms on your knees, as shown, with the index finger touching the root of the thumb

• Close your eyes and relax

• Focus on your breath - let your breathing become rhythmic and relaxed

• Now contract the glottis in the throat so that a soft snoring sound is produced in the throat

• Let each breath become slower and longer, and concentrate on the sound being in the throat

• Practice for five minutes.

Exercise 3a, b

• Sit in padmasana

• Inhale deeply. Keeping your chest high, hold your breath and press your chin against the chest

• Hold the position for as long as comfortable

• Ease the chin, look up and exhale

• Repeat thrice.

Exercise 4

• Sit with your legs stretched out

• Place your palms behind you, as shown, with fingers pointing away from the body

• Try to hold your weight on your palms and slowly push your chest forward, arching the back and dropping the head back, as shown

• Hold the position, breathing normally

• Slowly return to the starting position.