Just taking some time for yourself can be restorative, but Dr. Fromberg believes that yoga is energizing in part because it takes you away from your phone. "When people look at their phone, they think they're doing something fun and relaxing," she said. "But they actually restrict their breath, and their heart rate goes up — the opposite of what yoga does."
There's no doubt that our phones and their constant notifications keep us inundated with information at all times. While that can be exhausting for anyone, it's even more tiresome for someone battling a chronic illness. This is one of the lessons I learned that stayed with me off the mat. Because I know how good it can feel to disconnect, I think twice before bringing my phone to lunch with coworkers or on a grocery store run. Instead of leaning on my phone to distract me while I'm waiting or walking, I take a couple of deep breaths and calmly take in my surroundings.
