Stretching is one of the most important things you can do for your body. It keeps you flexible, helps your joints move to their full range of motion, and can even help you improve your balance. But that’s not all. Regular stretching can also help improve circulation, reduce stress and increase energy levels. Plus, it can help reduce the risk of injury, muscle cramps, and back pain.
The body is flexible. It is supposed to be flexible. You must bend and reach that something you dropped on the floor.
You must zip the back of your favorite dress on your own. Not only that, but you must reach for that book you need to read on the top shelf. These are simple activities. Nothing grand about them; you merely stretched out a bit. However, you must stretch your limits if there are difficulties in making such simple motions. You already need a stretching program.
What Is Stretching? Stretching is simply extending the body to full length or merely a part of it. This activity involves straightening or stretching the structure or the limbs.
Stretching is easy and can be done by any person, regardless of age. However, the extent of stretching and flexing differs. Muscles begin to contract with age. It can limit the range of joint movements and make it difficult for someone with an active lifestyle. That is why as the person grows older, bending or flexing becomes more limited. Stretching regularly, as part of a routine, is vital. They can incorporate it into their lifestyle and daily activities without requiring much of their time.
Stretching is an essential part of any training or sport. It would be best if you did it first before anything else. Stretching the body and the limbs is a good preparation for more rigorous activity.
Most athletes would sit and reach, position themselves on the floor, extend their legs, and get the tip of their feet with the end of their hands.
Most trainers require their athletes to do stretching before playing. There is an ideal length of time for stretching. Doing it in 10 minutes is best because it will give the body enough time to move and stretch the muscles, preparing it for more complicated and strenuous movements.
What Are the Benefits of Stretching?
1. Increase the Range of Movement. When you do the stretching exercises, the length of the muscles and tendons also increases, and will help expand the range of your movement. Thus, the limbs and joints can move before an injury occurs. You are physically fit.
2. Increased Ability to Perform Skills. You can do more things when you have a wide range of movement. For example, you can jump high without feeling any pain when you land back on the floor. And also help you start a new sport or improve more if you are in one. Stretching in this aspect also allows you to have a more active lifestyle.
3. Injury Prevention. One can prevent injury to joints, tendons, and muscles with stretching. When the muscles and tendons are well-flexed, they are in good working order, and this will help in a faster recovery and decrease soreness. The body’s muscles can take more exhausting and rigorous movements with less probability of injury.
4. Reduce Muscle Tension. If the muscles are given regular exercises and stretching, they will be less likely to contract and relieve muscle pain.
5. Enhance Energy. Being able to move more will also give you more energy. Stretching will also help enhance your awareness, like knowing that you have a body capable of doing many things. As such, you will be more driven to move than sulk in the corner.
6. Reduces cholesterol. Research also shows that prolonged stretching exercises, like yoga, will help reduce cholesterol in the body. Of course, we must accomplish this with a healthy diet that prevents and even reverses the hardening of the arteries, allowing you to avoid coronary diseases.
You cannot say no to the benefits of stretching into your everyday lifestyle. It also does not require much. Likewise, it can be your usual activities, bending and flexing occasionally. After all, your fitness is everything, so do what it takes to keep the body healthy.