Posted By : Admin / On : November 04, 2023 / In : Health,mental health
By now, most people are aware of the transformative effects that Pilates can have on your physical health. From improving flexibility, building core strength, and even managing pain, there is little doubt that Pilates pays off.
With that said, not as many people are aware of the effects that Pilates can have on our mental health. Of course, most people know that exercise is good for the mind. However, not all exercises are created equal, and if your goal is to enhance your mental wellbeing, there is growing evidence to suggest that Pilates should be a priority in your fitness routine.
With that said, let’s examine some of the ways that Pilates can improve your mental health:
As we age, certain parts of our brain shrink, which isn’t such great news for our cognitive function. In fact, a research paper published by the National Institutes of Health found that the volume of the brain declines with age at a rate of around 5% per decade once we turn 40. That might sound concerning, but fortunately, the paper clarifies that regular exercise can prevent this.
Admittedly, the researchers don’t specify which type of exercise is optimal for keeping brain shrinkage at bay. However, another article explains that meditational-type exercises like Pilates are the most advantageous. This is because to get the most out of the exercise, you need to be practising mind-body connection. This requires concentration, which distinguishes Pilates from other forms of aerobic exercise (like running on a treadmill). Given concentration is a prerequisite of doing Pilates effectively, by nature, Pilates keeps your brain engaged. This, in turn, enhances your cognitive function and prevents brain shrinkage.
Confidence is essential for living a happy and successful life. People with high self-confidence have a strong belief in themselves and their abilities, allowing them to step outside of their comfort zone and take risks. Whilst self-confidence doesn’t come naturally to some, there are steps you can take to improve it – one of the most effective ways being to expose yourself to new challenges.
This is where Pilates comes in. Whether you are a complete newbie or a seasoned Pilates enthusiast, in order to improve your abilities, you have to engage in movements that will most likely feel slightly difficult. You may wake up feeling sore, having worked muscles you didn’t even know existed. Despite these muscle aches, you will need to continue to push yourself (within reason) during each class to see improvement.
Embracing this discomfort, however, will ultimately show you that your body is capable of achieving things you initially thought were undoable. Pretty quickly, this newfound belief in your physical abilities will transcend the studio walls, fostering a more positive outlook on life in general. By showing determination and perseverance while practising Pilates, you will begin to embody these attributes in different areas of your life, ultimately leading to a noticeable, positive change in your self-confidence.
In fact, one study found that those who completed an 8 week Pilates Intervention Programme reported a positive and significant change in their relationships, nutrition, stress management and spiritual growth – reaffirming that Pilates has benefits that stretch far beyond the class itself. All such benefits stemmed from improved self-confidence, which ultimately enhanced other important aspects of the participants’ life.
Pilates is firmly rooted in mind-body connection, which is stimulated and maintained through deep, intentional breathing techniques. Such breathing techniques are scientifically proven to help manage stress and anxiety. This is because deep breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s “rest-and-relax” response. As a result, when you focus on your breath during Pilates, you’re subconsciously signalling to your body that it can relax. By perfecting these breathing techniques during class, you will naturally improve your breath in everyday life, ultimately helping you to manage your stress levels by keeping your body in rest and relaxation mode.
All-in-all, Pilates has remarkable benefits that extend far beyond the physical. If you’re looking to boost your cognitive function, increase your confidence or manage your stress levels, Pilates has been scientifically shown to be a valuable tool. Convinced? Sign up for a class and experience the benefits for yourself in either of our Godalming or Guildford studios.
Written by Tori Radford on behalf of The Pilates Movement
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