Stretching allows for greater movement in joints and improves posture. It also helps to release muscle tension and soreness and reduces the risk of injury. Increased flexibility also helps circulation, muscle control, and improve balance and coordination.
Taking care of your body is essential!
Daily activities like standing up from a chair and getting in and out of bed become increasingly difficult over time. These limitations are often caused by a decline in muscle strength and flexibility. The ability to move certain joints with a proper range of motion is extremely beneficial to health. Stretching exercises help manage pain and decreases the chances of injury while performing various movements.
4 Benefits of Increasing Flexibility:
Prevents heart disease and other diseases.
Produces a feeling of rejuvenation.
Improves respiratory functions.
Decreases fatigue and helps in faster recovery.
Flexibility is directly related to the accomplishment of simple day-to-day tasks.
Stretch for 10 minutes every day.
Regular stretching improves your balance, strength, and flexibility.
Get advice to avoid injury.
Check with your doctor or health professional before stretching if you have an injury, are unsure of how to stretch properly or have had a previous injury.
Warm up your muscles before stretching.
Try 10 minutes of gentle exercise like walking. Stretching cold muscles may result in injury.
Hold a sustained stretch for 10 to 30 seconds.
Don’t bounce when stretching. Overstretching causes muscle to contract and can cause small tears in fibers.
Only stretch to the point of mild discomfort.
Once your muscle feels comfortable, increase the stretch then hold it again. If it hurts, you’re pushing too hard.
Breathe normally when stretching.
Don’t try to hold your breath or perform special breathing exercises.
Balance your routine.
Work opposing muscle groups each time you stretch. If you start by stretching the muscles in the back of your thigh, then follow by stretching the muscles at the front.
Prevent boredom.
Add variety to your routine by increasing your stretching repertoire. For example, you could join a yoga class or visit your local physiotherapist for new stretches.
Include stretching in your daily routine.
Gentle stretching can improve your circulation, steady blood flow helps reduce muscle tension and soreness.
Make stretching part of your other warm-up and cool-down activities.
It will help put you in the right frame of mind before exercise and help you relax afterward.