Pilates for Stress Relief

In the past decade, the Pilates craze has been sweeping the western world.  Pilates can strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and help you sleep better.  But perhaps the most useful effect is Pilates' ability to decrease stress; something we seem to have more and more of every day.  If it seems the world is piling up on you and you just need a break, why not try a Pilates exercise program for stress?  Besides reducing your stress level, they can also help you live a longer, healthier life. 

While there are a few different kinds of Pilates, they revolve around the same principles developed by Joseph Pilates, the founder of Pilates.  These methods help stretch muscles, massage internal organs, improve posture, strengthen core muscles, and leave your mind in a peaceful state.  Choose a method based on what classes and books are available to you and your physical skill level. 

So why is Pilates so good at relieving stress?  First, in addition to the poses and breathing, it emphasizes balance and control, not struggle.  Living this way will help you be healthier with properly functioning systems.  If you’re not lacking in various nutrients, your will function better, feel more energized, and be less stressed.  Pilates also helps build stamina and strength which can help you cope better with the physical aspects of stress.  It also helps to calm you physically and mentally.  This helps to relieve the stress you may have built up through the day.  It also emphasizes proper breathing methods.  Generally we take short shallow breaths.  The long deep breaths used in Pilates promote relaxation by changing the carbon dioxide levels in the blood.  Lastly, Pilates can help promote a full, restful night’s sleep.  Getting enough sleep is very important in helping the body and mind heal.  This leaves you ready to cope better with stressors the next day.

While they may take time, practice, and patience to master; Pilates exercises can be great tools to help you relax, unwind, sleep better, and stay healthy and happy.  Recommended: Pilates Revolution audio and visual tutorials.