If you find yourself dreading the stress of the season ahead, read on to find out how Virgin Active can help you relax and have a genuinely very Merry Christmas.
Christmas can be a stressful time of year – money worries, busy crowds, frozen pipes and annoying relatives – so it’s no surprise that many people find themselves stressed and anxious, rather than being able to relax and enjoy the festive frivolities.
Luckily, help is at hand. Here at Virgin Active we have everything you need to beat the Christmas blues and embrace the ‘season to be jolly’.
Exercise helps. Really.
There is good evidence that physically fit people have less extreme physiological responses when under pressure than those who are not. This means that fit people are more able to handle the long-term effects of stress, without suffering ill health or burnout. Laugh your way through a Zumba class or release tension through a high-energy Boxercise session. Even a blast on the treadmill will slow down stressful thoughts and leave you feeling more in control of the world around you.
Of course, there are plenty of other ways we can help you unwind too. Why not try one of the following?
Yoga
Breathe...Yoga is a great way to quiet your mind and relax your body. It’s about creating balance through developing strength and flexibility. There are many different forms of yoga, most of which are Hatha. Some, such as Astanga, are more physically challenging than others and you will work up a sweat. At Virgin Active we offer several different types of yoga, including Dynamic Yoga, Astanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga. Choose one that suits your abilities and fitness level. If you are attending a yoga class for the first time, ask your fitness instructor to explain the movements before doing them and to describe which muscles are being used.
Breathe...Yoga is a great way to quiet your mind and relax your body.
Pilates
Named after Joseph H. Pilates, a carpenter who developed this unique exercise system in 1920’s for injured dancers. It creates strength without bulk and lengthens and stretches your muscles as it creates postural awareness. Focusing on the ‘powerhouse’ muscles including abs, back, buttocks and thighs, it restores balance in the body. This, in turn, can radically improve your posture and realign your body, leaving you feeling healthier and more relaxed. No more hunched back and tight shoulders!
Massage
Gentle massage stimulates the release of endorphins (the body's natural 'feel good’ chemicals) by affecting the nervous system through nerve endings in the skin. That’s why massage leaves us feeling relaxed, with a sense of well-being. It can also relieve pain and reduce levels of stress chemicals such as Cortisol and Noradrenaline. By slowing heart rate, respiration and metabolism and lowering raised blood pressure, it helps reverse the damaging effects of stress. Visit a HeavenV Spa at Virgin Active, where you’ll find the latest transformational beauty treatments and indulging massage treatments. For more information on available treatments go to the Heaven V Spa website.