How Pilates Can Improve Your Sleep Quality
Struggling to fall asleep (or stay asleep) is incredibly common. In fact, studies show that one in five people in the UK aren’t getting enough sleep. Whether it’s work, social obligations, or the endless stream of digital distractions, a good night’s rest is often the first thing we neglect.
However, there are simple yet effective changes we can make to combat insomnia and wake up feeling more refreshed and energised. One such remedy is practising Pilates, which has been shown to improve sleep quality by 95%. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of sleep and how pilates reformer classes can help you achieve a more restful night.
The Importance of Sleep
Before we look at how Pilates can help improve your sleep, it’s important to understand why sleep itself is so crucial. We all know sleep is necessary, but its benefits go far beyond simply feeling refreshed. Quality sleep is fundamental for maintaining overall health and well-being. It is during sleep that our bodies repair tissues, consolidate memories, and regulate hormones that control everything from appetite to mood.
Lack of sleep, on the other hand, has been linked to a range of health issues including weakened immune function, weight gain, and an increased risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, poor sleep can have negative effects on mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Simply put, sleep is essential for our health, and prioritising it can lead to huge improvements in our quality of life.
How Pilates Can Benefit Your Sleep
- A) Pilates Reduces Stress and Anxiety
One of the primary reasons people struggle with sleep is due to stress and anxiety. When the mind is racing and the body is tense, falling asleep can feel impossible. Not only this, but an anxious mind can actually prevent us from staying asleep. Why? Anxiety effects our REM sleep, which can lead to strange, vivid dreams that wake us up throughout the night.
Pilates can combat this because it encourages mindful movement and deep breathing. The focus on breathwork and controlled, deliberate movements helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming the body and mind. By promoting relaxation, Pilates can ease the stress and anxiety that often prevent us from falling asleep or staying asleep through the night.
- B) Pilates Enhances Physical Relaxation
Tension and tightness in the body can make it difficult to unwind and fall asleep. This is why sleep meditations often instruct us to relax our muscles one at a time. Pilates, with its emphasis on stretching and lengthening the muscles, helps to alleviate physical tension and promote relaxation. Many Pilates exercises target areas of the body where stress tends to accumulate, such as the neck, shoulders, and lower back. By releasing tension in these areas, Pilates prepares your body for a more restful and uninterrupted sleep.
- C) Pilates Improves Sleep-Related Breathing
Deep and intentional breathing can stimulate melatonin production – which is the hormone responsible for sleep. Breathing is a core component of Pilates, and the breathwork practised in Pilates can directly benefit sleep. Pilates teaches you to breathe deeply and rhythmically, which not only enhances oxygen flow but also promotes relaxation.
This kind of breathing can be particularly beneficial for individuals who suffer from sleep disturbances such as sleep apnea or those who tend to hold their breath during the night. By improving your breathing patterns, Pilates can help ensure that you get the deep, restorative sleep your body needs.
- D) Pilates Balances Energy Levels
Regular physical activity is known to improve sleep quality, and Pilates is no exception. Unlike high-intensity workouts that can sometimes leave you feeling wired, Pilates offers a balanced approach to exercise that can energise you during the day without overstimulating you before bedtime. It therefore promotes a healthy balance of energy, helping you to feel alert and focused during the day and sufficiently tired at night, making it easier to fall asleep.
- E) Pilates Supports Healthy Sleep Habits
A consistent Pilates practice encourages you to be more in tune with your body’s natural rhythms. This heightened body awareness can lead to better sleep hygiene—making it easier to establish and stick to a regular sleep routine. Pilates encourages mindfulness and the development of healthy habits that extend beyond the studio, including winding down at the end of the day and preparing your body and mind for sleep.
If you’re looking to improve your sleep, consider incorporating Pilates into your routine. The Pilates Movement offer classes ran by experts for all abilities. Sign up for one of our sessions in our beautiful Godalming or Guildford studios today!
Source: https://thepilatesmovementstudio.co.uk/how-pilates-can-improve-your-sleep-quality/