Dealing with Stress: Tips for Everyone, Including Pilates Teachers

In a moment of pure stress release, a woman expresses a powerful shout, a technique sometimes used in stress management workshops to help let go of tension and regain a sense of calm

Let's be honest, a lot of what we spend our days worrying about are just small things, not the big disasters we make them out to be in our heads. And most of the time, the things we worry about never even happen! Dealing with stress is simpler than it seems. Stress usually comes from thinking something bad is going to happen and that it's going to be the end of the world. But the truth is, we can't predict the future, and learning to accept that can be really hard for some of us.

I've come to realise that stress plays a big part in making us feel sick, maybe even more than bad eating habits, our genes, or not getting the right treatment when we're ill. That's a pretty big deal! But the thing about stress is that it's all in our heads. It's not the things happening around us that stress us out, but how we think about them.

So, what can we do about it? It's all about changing our point of view. Instead of thinking something is going to be terrible, try to come up with five reasons it might actually turn out okay, or even be a good thing. This simple trick can make us feel a lot more relaxed about the situation.

Let's talk about something many of us have experienced recently – working from home and using tools like Zoom to stay connected. At first, it might seem less than ideal. It's easy to focus on the negatives like technical glitches, feeling disconnected from others, or the awkwardness of talking to a screen. But there are so many positives too! For example, using Zoom allows us to connect with people we might not have been able to reach before. We can keep our classes going, maintain relationships with students from afar, and even reach new people who were too far away to join in person. Plus, it can be pretty comfy to work from your own home!

As Pilates teachers, or really anyone trying to navigate this fast-paced world, embracing these challenges as chances to grow and learn can really change the way we feel about them. By staying open-minded and focusing on the positives, we can reduce our stress and make the most out of any situation. So, next time you're facing something that feels stressful, try to see it as an opportunity. It might just change your whole perspective.