Having missed a couple of weeks of Pilates, I was finally back in class last night and positively relishing it. I mused later on that evening that Pilates classes are one of the very rare times where my mind is not working overtime or I’m stressing about my to do list.
Even when driving, I have the radio on but once again my internal speakers are far louder, and I end up going into a sort of reverie (not the good kind), making mental lists, remembering stuff I have to do and mulling over stuff. It’s the same when I get to bed – I end up reading a bit, and then lay awake more often than not, going through the events of the day, or worrying about things that may never happen – my mind needs an off switch!
Anyhoo, back to Pilates – it is one of the few things I do, like I say, where the outside world melts away and I focus totally on what I am doing in that moment. That is because partly if I don’t totally concentrate, I am highly likely to fall over, roll over or stop “zipping and hollowing”. It’s hard work – but I love it. I also feel a bit slimmer the day after too – I reckon the stretches and moves give you an internal massage of some sort, as well. Basically, there’s nothing bad about it.
A recent trip to the doc also convinced me that these moments where my mind actually does relax are hugely important. I’ve been having random dizzy spells (for once, not related to my wine consumption) and after an eye test confirming I have 20/20 vision, I got a check up to see if it was something else. I’ve got to get some blood tests done, but the doc did mention stress could be a cause. Now; I wouldn’t say I’m overly stressy, I just have a very active mind in my view. I enjoy my job and yes, it’s stressful from time to time but again not overly so. Planning a wedding is of course a lot of stress but the enjoyment I’m getting from that is outweighing the nail-biting, I reckon.
Still, stress is something many of us are under all the time – and we just get on with it don’t we? I’m even a believer that a bit of stress does you good, and I definitely work better when the pressure’s on. Although the blood tests might reveal something else, I think the doc’s mention of the S-word was timely anyway and last night I spent the rest of the evening on the sofa with a mag. Every so often – you need to just chill.
I’m also off to book myself in for a spa day, massage, pilates retreat and facial…
