Stress relief with the help of Pilates
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 tasks are piling up and you can't get anything done on time? If so, then you too are showing signs of stress. Welcome to the club!
Perhaps pilates is exactly what you need to cope with stress. Pilates consists of precise movements that can make our bodies more flexible and stronger. How does this relate to stress relief? Well, one of the basic principles of pilates is breathing. What is our first advice when we see someone on the verge of tears, or so nervous they don't know what to do? Breathe deeply. Pilates teaches you to breathe correctly, and proper breathing technique is indispensable in every aspect of life, including overcoming stress. Another basic principle of pilates is concentration. Tasks cannot be performed if we do not focus on the movements to the greatest possible extent. If our minds wander to unwashed clothes and projects to be done during pilates, we might even fall flat on our face. That's why you need to focus only on your body and movement. There's no room for stress in those 50-60 minutes when only your body and 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 just as much. Our thoughts must not wander, as we need to pay attention to our instructor (even if we are exercising at home, in front of the computer). If we have a good instructor (and most of them are good), then this shouldn't be a problem.
Pilates involves many steps and movements. Which movement follows which will be told by the instructor "as we go". That's why you need to pay attention to them, and not think about what to cook for dinner tonight.
If you want to switch off your brain for a short time, then pilates was made for you!
We can gain mental clarity.
The pilates class is over, the sixty minutes of silence are done. But now comes the most important part – in the 2 minutes it takes you to walk to your car, or stand at the station, thoughts slowly return to your head.
Yet the situation is a little different... It's as if there's order in your head. All those thoughts that swirled in your mind before pilates have now been neatly and clearly placed into the small drawers of your brain. What you worried about before class has been relegated to the bottom of the drawer, because you realized it wasn't important at all. Suddenly you know exactly what you need to do and when, to keep everything in perfect order.
It's like "sleeping on it" before a difficult decision, and waking up with a new perspective. You keep what's important, let go of the irrelevant things, and simply move on.
Happiness hormones are released.
Exercise, controlled breathing, and meditation all release endorphins. What is it that is both exercise and meditation, and also emphasizes breathing? You probably already know the answer, but just to be safe, we'll tell you. It's pilates!
Endorphins trigger a lot of positive processes in our body. We will feel better, have more energy, be happier, and the list goes on! Suffice it to say that even a bar of chocolate releases endorphins. What wonderful news it is that through pilates we can achieve the same effect as with chocolate, but without gaining a single extra pound!
It makes us feel strong and confident.
During pilates, we are all stars. Every mastered movement is a mini Oscar, and every pair of leggings is a personalized ball gown. During pilates, you can be the best version of yourself. You perform exercises you never even dreamed of. There's no room for stress in your life when you do an hour of pilates every day! Why would you be afraid to make a difficult decision or embark on a new project? You've developed a healthy habit that has made you stronger, healthier, prouder, and more confident. No one and nothing can stop you.