How Pilates can help your mental health.
We all know that Pilates is great for our physical health, helping to strengthen and tone muscles, but did you know that it’s also beneficial for your mental health? It’s not something that many people consider, but Pilates helps strengthen the connection between the mind and the body.
Modern life is full of stresses and distractions. Pilates requires focus and concentration that can not only soothe our body but calm our minds too. So how does Pilates help your mental health?
Reduces Stress
When we’re stressed, we automatically engage ‘fight-or-flight’ mode. Stressful situations cause our body to release a wave of stress hormones. In our modern world, fight-or-flight is rarely useful - we can’t fight our boss, for example. Physical activity helps to metabolize the build-up of stress hormones, while the mindfulness aspect helps us to deal with stress in a more productive manner throughout the day.
Better Sleep Habits
Poor mental health is often exacerbated by poor sleeping habits. None of us function well when we’ve had a bad night’s sleep. It affects our critical thinking skills and memory. It also raises the level of the stress hormone cortisol, which affects both sleep and physical health.
Practicing Pilates helps to relax both body and mind, making it easier to get a good night’s sleep. It also improves your quality of sleep and allows for longer REM cycles, the deep restful part of your night’s rest.
Improved Concentration
From our late twenties, we start to lose volume of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory and cognitive function. However, it has been discovered that our brains can produce new cells when we exercise, which slows down this loss. Even better, it was found that mindful activity, such as Pilates, is better than any aerobic exercise.
Not only that, but learning a new skill - such as Pilates - that requires both body and mind also helps to maintain brain function.
Improves Anxiety
Breathing is a key part of Pilates exercises. Often when we’re anxious our breathing is affected and becomes fast and shallow. Focusing on deep breathing helps to alleviate this symptom as it sends messages to the brain to calm and relax.
And because you have to concentrate on the slow, controlled movements, it gives your brain a break from racing thoughts and the stresses of the day, even if it’s just for a short period. This allows your brain some rest and respite.
Improves Depression
Any form of exercise can help with depression as the movement gets your endorphins and serotonin - the happy drugs - flowing. Scientific studies have shown that regular practice of Pilates can improve low mood by as much as some SSRI antidepressants.
So Pilates is not only magic for your body, but magic for your mind too. At Acuity Pilates we understand the importance of a healthy mind as well as a healthy body. Why not get in touch and find out how Pilates can help you?
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