It's not ground-breaking news to report that stress levels are higher than ever. With fast-paced lifestyles, global events and ever-mounting pressures, so many people are feeling frazzled and stressed...
One saviour for me personally has been a regular movement practice, specifically in the form of Pilates. You may have heard of lots of physical benefits of this exercise such as helping back pain, increasing mobility and strength, but what about good for your mind too??
Here are 5 ways in which Pilates reduces STRESS
1 Focus & Concentration are two of the main Pilates principles which underpin the technique. Using all of your attention on the form and precision of your movement is a really effective from of mindfulness, which has been shown to have a huge effect on stress reduction.
2 Exercise is great for stress. There have been loads of studies linking regular physical activity to a reduction in stress hormones such as cortisol. Pilates offers a full-body effective workout.
3 It's low impact. Which is great news for your knees and back! But also high intensity forms of exercise, whilst great for cardiovascular conditioning, are recognised by your body as a form of 'stress.' A lower impact, gentler form of getting your workout has been proven to lower cortisol (the body's main stress hormone)
4 Social & emotional wellbeing. The feel-good impact of going to your weekly Pilates class after a busy day at work, connecting with like-minded people, and sharing an experience has enormous positive benefits countering our stress levels.
5 Breathwork is another pillar of the Pilates technique. Slowing and regulating your breath has a direct impact on your nervous system, switching you from the stressful 'fight or flight' state of tension to the calm and focused state associated with activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
If that sounds good to you, and you're keen to know more, then come and try some reformer Pilates in the brand new Pilates studio opening in Sherborne this spring??
(it will be ready soon!)
Breathe, move, focus on the important shit.
We got this
Sarah x
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