Stress
Everyday stresses can really wear you down. When the office seems to be getting on top of you and the work-load seems to be ever growing it can be hard to let go and separate home from work. Part of having a work-life balance is learning techniques to know when to turn off you work head from your home head. This can be difficult if there is not a natural break between leaving work and getting home.
Exercise
Exercise is often the best cure when your day has stressed you out. An after work gym session could be the best break you could have between leaving the office and getting home. Most people need to digest and sometimes take the stress of their day out which if you keep bottled up could lead to you having a stressful home environment. No-one enjoys having their head bitten off when they ask “how was your day”.
Pilates
Pilates is a great form of exercise to Centre, Concentrate and Connect with yourself while using up that negative energy to burn calories. Pilates is similar to yoga but emphasizes your body’s core. It strengthens the abdomen, obliques, lower back, inner and outer thigh, butt which is great if you have a desk job as it helps support your posture.
Pilates develops strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, coordination, balance, and good posture — with a much lower chance of injury than with other forms of exercise. The discipline emphasizes correct form instead of going for the burn. Which means even if you are absolutely shattered after a hard day you may be able to find enough energy to re-connect before heading home.
Variations
There are a few types of Pilates you can try: Reformer, Hot and Mat.
Reformer: Is great for those who prefer more resistance as the reformer machine allows you to add weights to certain moves. Allowing you to get all the benefits while challenging yourself more. Try Fitness Fusions in Clapham for a challenging Reformer for FREE for your first time or for an all over body changer FRAME Pilates Package.
Hot: Like Bikram Yoga this refreshing way of doing pilates gives you the buzz and energy that you get from hot classes. Challenging and helps achieve the feeling of sweating out the stress. Try HotPodYoga for a sense enlightening session at one of their venues across London.
Mat: Best option for beginners or those who want clarity. You will strengthen your core while improving your posture. Search for your local pilates class to find the right match for you.
Clothing
Wear something reasonably fitting which allows you to move while not restricting you with extra clothing. Leggings from Lululemon or Fabletics are perfect to give you good fitting as well as stylish choices. If you want to rock both style, stretch and ultimate chic then check out the new collaboration between Bodyism x Charlotte Olympia.
Refresh
Pilates doesn’t require as many calories as other activities such as running therefore you do not need to load up after a session. Re-hydrate well as continue with your Supper as you would normally. For an added boost of clarity and de-stress I often have a Pukka Tea from either the Matcha Range (if i do a morning pilates) or Turmeric to soothe and benefit from anti-inflammatory properties from any stresses from work
