Slow Down

I’m a type A personality and this has served me well in many ways. My drive and goal oriented nature have kept me pushing to succeed despite obstacles along the way. I am a doer and I tend to take on a lot. I enjoy being busy and accomplishing new things. I love checking items off my to-do list. But there is also a down side to being type A. I have a hard time slowing down and taking a break. Running my body at high speed and under stress is a recipe for poor sleep, weakened immune system and a crash in energy at some point..

Discovering Pilates was probably one of the best things I did for my personality. While I was seeking flat abs and toned, flexible muscles, Pilates also forced me to slow down. Pilates made me focus on my breath, take notice of what I felt in my body, and really let the rest of the swirling ideas, plans, and tasks in my mind rest for a bit. Pilates created calm and rejuvenation for me even when I didn’t realize I needed it! Pilates is my destress and allows my body to switch over to the parasympathetic nervous system.

Today, I prioritize my Pilates workouts because I know how I feel if I don’t. I know I need that time to decompress and slow down a bit as well. I’m not great at resting otherwise. I have a hard time watching TV without doing something else, too. Reading feels indulgent. But I’ve added a few more ‘slow down’ tricks to my tool box.

Several months ago while dealing with a stressful situation with my landlords and a very busy schedule, I decided to add in a one mile walk each day. This walk is not about exercise and I don’t care about my pace at all. It’s a break and a mental step away from the hustle and bustle of the studio. It’s a chance to clear my head, listen to a podcast or just be with my thoughts. As simple as it sounds, it’s made a huge difference on my sense of calm and mood.

Recently I’ve also started going to the pool for a few hours on the weekend to read. I bring a book I’m excited to read and find a shady spot to relax and enjoy my book. I could read at home but I’d be trying to do laundry and who knows what else at the same time! Being in a pretty space and giving myself permission to relax has felt amazing.

If you are like me and you struggle with constantly doing and rarely slowing down … I encourage you to find some ways you can incorporate calm and rest into you body. Whether it’s Pilates, reading, hiking, walking or some other method - your body will thank you! Too much stress even if it’s the good motivating stress will wear us down eventually if we don’t slow down from time to time.