Do you wake up tired in the morning and go to bed tired? Do you feel like crying just thinking about how much you have to do? Do you feel like your tasks are piling up and you can't get anything done on time? If so, you are showing signs of stress. Welcome to the club!
Maybe Pilates is exactly what you need to cope with stress. Pilates is a series of precise movements to make your body more flexible and strong. How does this relate to stress relief? Well, one of the basic principles of Pilates is breathing. What's the first piece of advice when you see someone who is either in tears or so upset they don't know where to go? Breathe deeply. Pilates teaches you how to breathe correctly, and regular breathing techniques are essential in all aspects of life, including overcoming stress. Another fundamental principle of Pilates is concentration. Exercises can't be done if you don't concentrate as much as possible on the movements. If you think about unwashed clothes and the project you have to do while doing pilates, you can fall on your stomach. That's why you just have to focus on the body and the movement. There is no room for stress in the 50-60 minutes when only your body and the movements matter.
Let's see how Pilates can banish stress from our lives!
We can switch off our thoughts.
It's undeniable that Pilates is a great challenge for the body, but it also works the brain. We mustn't let our mind wander, because we need to pay attention to our instructor (even if we're at home, working out in front of the computer). If you have a good instructor (and most of them are), this should not be a problem.
Pilates involves many steps and movements. The instructor will tell you „on the fly” which move follows which move. That's why you should pay attention to it and not think about what to cook for dinner tonight.
If you want to switch off your brain for a short break, Pilates is for you!
We can gain mental clarity.
The Pilates class is over, the sixty minutes of silence are over. But now comes the most important part - in the two minutes it takes to walk to your car or get out of the station, thoughts slowly drift back into your head.
Yet it's a bit different... It's like you have order in your head. All those thoughts that were swirling around in your brain before pilates are now neatly and clearly stored in little drawers in your brain. What you were worried about before class has gone to the bottom of the drawer, because you've realised it's not important at all. Suddenly you know exactly what you need to do at what time to keep everything in top order.
It's like when you „sleep on it” before a difficult decision and wake up with a new perspective. You keep the important things, let go of the unimportant, and simply move on.
Happiness hormones are on the rise.
Exercise, controlled breathing and meditation all release endorphins. So what is it that is both exercise and meditation, with an emphasis on breathing? You probably already know the answer, but just in case, we'll tell you. Pilates is!
Endorphins trigger a lot of positive processes in your body. We'll feel better, have more energy, be happier, and so on! Suffice to say, a bar of chocolate will also release endorphins. What wonderful news is that you can achieve the same results from pilates as you would from chocolate, without gaining an extra kilo!
It makes us feel strong and confident.
We are all stars during Pilates. Every movement mastered is a mini Academy Award, and every pair of leggings is a personalised prom dress. You can be the best version of yourself during Pilates. You're doing exercises you never dreamed you could do. There's no room for stress in your life when you're cramming in an hour of Pilates a day! Why be afraid to make a tough decision or take on a new project? You have developed a healthy habit that has made you stronger, healthier, prouder and more confident. No one and nothing can stop you.