In today’s world, most people spend their days dealing with constant demands: emails that need their attention, a busy commute, (potentially multiple) jobs, and more. It is no wonder that stress has been at an all-time high in recent years! If you struggle to find peace and calm in your daily life, what options do you have to get back on track? For some, Reformer Pilates classes are the most effective thing they have incorporated into their routines.
When people think of exercise, they usually think of putting their bodies under even more stress, not less. However, Pilates approaches wellness differently. In fact, the types of movements and priorities that make up Pilates naturally reduce stress as part of the greater, holistic approach to taking care of your body. Here’s how!
Triggers the Parasympathetic Nervous System
Many types of exercise activate the body’s sympathetic nervous system. This useful, coordinated effort helps to protect you using the fight-or-flight response. Exercises in this vein, such as running and many sports, increase your heart rate and blood pressure, make you breathe harder, and might even release adrenaline. While these things can be good for you in controlled doses, stacking more physical stress on top of an already stressed body might not always be ideal.
Conversely, Pilates triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls the “rest and digest” response. Switching how you exercise can naturally reduce your cortisol (stress) levels, improve your mood, and achieve greater calm.
Teaches Grounding
Grounding is the process of staying in the present moment. It is especially effective when combating stress, as the mind is prone to wander and dwell on everything you still need to do, what happened earlier that caused you to be upset, and more.
Pilates requires focus. As you shift through the exercises, you will be attentive to your body in space, how it is moving, and what is happening right now. This can give your brain the break it desperately needs from the constant spiral of stressful thoughts. As a result, your body can naturally process some of its cortisol to decrease stress.
Encourages Mindfulness
Mindfulness is similar to grounding but plays a different, equally important role. It is when you focus on specific parts of your body, experiences, or situations to observe without judgment. In Pilates, participants frequently use mindfulness to check in with whether their muscles are activating the way they want, whether their movements are balanced, and more.
Mindfulness is invaluable for stress relief. It can help you feel your stress, identify it, understand how it makes you feel, and release those feelings for a greater sense of calm. Think of Pilates as practice sessions for stress relief!
Releases Tension
Stress commonly causes tension in the body. You might carry your shoulders higher, hold your head at a less-than-ideal posture, or even bounce your leg (but only one, so your body is developing muscles unevenly). Pilates can help you release your tension by providing physical exercise without the stress response.
For example, long, slow, deep stretches can help you release the tightness around your shoulders and neck. Did you know that relaxing your muscles can directly calm your stress response? Stress works in a cycle: you become stressed, which causes your muscles to tense, which in turn causes your body to panic because you are tense, so it becomes more stressed, and so on. Interrupting this cycle by releasing the muscles from their tight grip can ease stress in its own way.
Creates Good Exhaustion
Everyone knows that exercise can really tire you out, which is good when done right. Pilates helps your body burn calories and become stronger without placing the joints under the strain of high impact. As a result, you do not stress yourself with intense movements, but you still get the physical benefits of exercise. When your body is repairing itself afterward, you may find that you are sleeping better. This can help the body process its stress and recover while strengthening you at the same time.
Try Reformer Pilates Classes to See How It Can Help Your Stress
If you are experiencing high stress levels, you may have tried many options to alleviate the discomfort and restore mental clarity. Consider trying Reformer Pilates as part of your plan! Reformer Pilates classes can ease stress by triggering the parasympathetic nervous system, helping you sleep better, boosting your mindfulness and grounding, and more.
Contact RTR Pilates to learn more about our beginner classes and sign up for one! Our friendly instructors can help you succeed, even if you have never tried Pilates.