Pilates has many benefits; to improve core strength, flexibility and muscle patterning, but how many of us think of it as a stress reliever?
Physical, mental or emotional stress can cause stress responses in your body, increasing heart rate, faster breathing patterns, tense muscles and increase in blood pressure. Stress can also manifest itself in headaches, stomach aches, digestive issues, even dizziness, rashes and skin disorders. It can also disturb sleep and compromise our immune system. Safe to say that stress in high amounts is not good for any of us!
Pilates can be a powerful way to help control your stress, by providing a place for your body to relax, rejuvenate and release tension, helping to eliminate the negative impacts of stress. It also allows you to focus the mind on the present moment, leaving your worries at the door.
One of the main principles of Pilates is focusing on your breathing; oxygenating the blood triggers the brain to calm down. The breath creates a physiological response in the body that naturally decreases our stress and anxiety. There are breathing patterns involved in Pilates which helps to maximise the oxygen entering your lungs and it can also accelerate blood flow to your brain. This in turn will help relax your body and mind.
So if you are feeling stressed and would like to find out more about how Pilates can help you, please contact Vicky Mynott at Panacea Physiotherapy.