With the onslaught of information, fast-paced workplaces, busy
lives, and many hats most individuals must wear on a daily basis, it’s hard to
go through a single day without feeling stress. Some of us manage stress on a
daily basis, and others feel overtaken by stress. Stress has three phases:
Management, Coping, and Recovery. Pilates can help with each of these, as well
as living an overall healthy lifestyle.
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Management
Stress management is a proactive phase. Individuals who manage
their stress are typically at peace with the fact that many stresses will be
part of life, and they’ve integrated pieces of their daily routine to help
manage stress and keep it at a healthy level. Stress can be a good thing if
it’s managed well – without stress, muscles will never grow and students may
never learn. Managed stress can be embraced. Individuals who manage their
stress typically have built healthy boundaries. They know what their limits are
and how to graciously say no. They make Pilates a priority, not only focusing
on the physical aspects of exercise, but also their breathing techniques,
mindfulness, balance, and harmony. They get enough sleep. They eat well without
sweating the occasional splurge. Management is the best place to be when it
comes to stress.
Coping
Individuals who are coping have typically gone through an
experience that has caused some deep stress and are trying to maintain their
healthy management in spite of the stress. Seasons of coping will come from
time to time in anyone’s life and may be triggered by a multitude of things:
illness, death of a loved one, divorce, a lost job, or a traumatic experience.
It may be easy to stop exercising and maintaining healthy balance in these
situations. Some days it can seem difficult to keep going. In these seasons,
it’s even more important to nurture your body and stay healthy. Surround
yourself with loving people who encourage good habits.
Recovery
Individuals in recovery have just gone through the coping phase
with a stressful experience. They’ve come to peace with the situation and may
have even been able to move on, if only slightly. Recovery can be a long
journey, but it’s important to let your mind and body experience it to bring
closure and restore health. Pilates can help speed up recovery and bring peace
along with it.
