Keep your Body (and Immune System!) Strong This Winter
As the winter months roll in, so does the cold and flu season. While there’s no magic cure to avoid every bug going around, one of the best things you can do to protect your body is to support your immune system. And believe it or not, regular Pilates practice can help you do just that.
Pilates isn’t just about getting a toned core or improving flexibility—it’s a full-body workout that promotes overall wellness, and it plays a vital role in boosting your immune system. Let’s take a look at how Pilates can help keep you healthy and strong all winter long.
1. Pilates Improves Circulation for Better Immune Function
Good circulation is key for a healthy immune system. When blood and lymph flow freely through your body, your immune cells can travel more easily to fight off infections. Pilates focuses on controlled movement and breath, which helps improve circulation by increasing your heart rate and boosting blood flow to your muscles and organs.
How Pilates Helps:
- Dynamic Movement: Pilates exercises like Rolling Like a Ball and Spine Stretch get your blood pumping, encouraging circulation throughout the body.
- Breathwork: Deep, diaphragmatic breathing (which is a core part of Pilates) helps oxygenate your blood and supports your circulatory system.
2. Pilates Reduces Stress, Supporting Your Immune System
Stress is one of the biggest threats to your immune system. When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that, over time, can weaken your immune response and make you more susceptible to illness.
How Pilates Helps:
- Mindful Breathing: The slow, controlled breathing used in Pilates is scientifically proven to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” state), helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Body Awareness: Pilates encourages you to connect with your body, reducing the mental clutter that can come from stress.
3. Pilates Strengthens Your Body for Better Resilience
A strong, healthy body is better equipped to fight off illness. Pilates targets not only the core but also your entire body, improving strength, flexibility, and posture. With regular practice, your muscles become more resilient, and your joints are better supported, reducing your chances of injury and discomfort that could leave you more vulnerable to sickness.
How Pilates Helps:
- Core Strength: A strong core helps improve posture, which in turn can help with breathing and circulation, supporting the immune system’s efficiency.
- Full-Body Strength: Pilates movements engage multiple muscle groups, making you stronger and more resilient to the physical demands of daily life (and the seasonal germs that come with it).
4. Pilates Enhances Lymphatic Drainage
The lymphatic system plays a huge role in the body’s immune defense. It carries immune cells throughout the body to help fight infection, but unlike the circulatory system, it doesn't have a pump (like the heart) to keep things moving. That’s where movement comes in—specifically, Pilates.
How Pilates Helps:
- Twists and Rotations: Moves like the Saw or Spinal Rotation help activate the lymphatic system by stimulating the flow of lymph throughout the body.
- Full-Body Movement: Exercises that engage large muscle groups, such as Squats and Leg Circles, promote fluid circulation and help move lymph through the body.
5. Pilates Boosts Your Energy Levels
When the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, it’s easy to feel sluggish and tired. But regular Pilates practice can actually help boost your energy levels. Even a short session can get your heart pumping, increase circulation, and help clear mental fog. This boost in energy not only makes you feel more productive but also helps your body stay in tip-top shape to fend off illnesses.
How Pilates Helps:
- Increase in Blood Flow: Just like any form of exercise, Pilates increases oxygen flow to the brain, improving focus and mental clarity, leaving you feeling more energized.
- Endorphin Release: Pilates encourages the release of endorphins—those feel-good hormones that leave you feeling uplifted and motivated.
6. Stay Consistent: How Often Should You Practice?
To see the benefits Pilates has on your immune system, aim for at least 3-4 sessions a week. Even if you’re only able to fit in 20 minutes, short, regular sessions are better than sporadic longer workouts. Consistency is key when it comes to building strength, improving circulation, and supporting your immune system.