Stretching regularly should not be overlooked by any individual at any age. It is an important factor that many people do not consider unless they are recovering from an injury, or are participating in instructed led activities. Stretching is a wonderful thing for your body, mind and soul to stretch any time of the day.
Upon waking – helps alleviate morning stiffness and centers your mindset for the day ahead
Mid day – helpful for those spending their time at a computer, in high stress jobs or on your feet for long periods of time
Evening – a wonderful time to unwind and relax and allow the body to restore from the day. Whatever time of day you choose to stretch, taking five – ten minutes is essential to maintaining a strong, flexible body.
I suggest holding each stretch for 10-30 seconds. Feel free to stretch for longer period of times depending on how your body feels and the types of activities you are participating in.
Stretching is key for maintaining mobility, flexibility, and overall well-being throughout our lives. Regular stretching helps increase your range of motion within your joints. It can also alleviate muscular imbalances and tightness to improve your posture. Pre-activity stretching routines help prevent muscle strains and sprains by warming up the muscles for movement. Athletes can benefit greatly from daily stretching by improving muscle coordination, balance and reaction time. Stretching stimulates blood circulation throughout the body improving the overall health and function of tissues, joints, and muscles by delivering oxygen and essential nutrients to these areas. A final note in regards to daily stretching are the emotional and mental benefits that it provides. It can help improve focus, reduce mental stress and promote a sense of calmness and well-being. Stretching provides an opportunity for us for mindfulness and self-care. There are many stretching exercises available for you to do at home, the gym, outside, and even when traveling! Yoga is a wonderful modality for stretching as well. Check out local studios near you and also search for free classes via YouTube.
As with any new routine or habit, start with a small goal and gradually build up. Start with a goal of stretching 2-4 days per week, and you can add more stretch days in the future as you see fit. Hopefully you’ve taken away the importance of stretching from this blog! Not only will you feel more flexible, you will notice improved overall health from regular stretching. If you are looking for more tips to promote your general health and well-being, please reach out to me for coaching support!