Listen to “Why Stretching is Important for Your Body and Mind”.
While trying to stay fit, there’s one thing many of us are not paying proper attention to – stretching! Stretching has many benefits for both your body and your mind, and we should all be more mindful of it in our daily lives.
As we age, our flexibility decreases, which can result in muscle imbalances. Stretching our bodies becomes more important as we get older because we become more prone to aches and pains. The occasional ache or pain is nothing to worry about, but it’s still a good idea to stretch in order to keep our body limber and feeling better.
Stretching is essential for your muscles and your mind. It keeps muscles healthy so you can stay strong and get the most out of your workouts. It also ensures you move correctly, which helps reduce the risk of injury while maintaining mobility and your range of movements. Stretching even improves circulation and blood flow in the body, keeping your blood oxygenated.
Stretching, when combined with mindful breathing, can help reduce anxiety. Simple stretching helps connect energy and focus back on your body, which can release stress from your mind.
Here are six benefits of stretching for just 15 minutes a day:
Stretching helps you feel good.
Ever notice how a good stretch can make you feel great and rejuvenate the body? That is because when you stretch, you are releasing endorphins. Endorphins cause a sense of euphoria and tranquillity within the body, similar to the feeling after a good workout, deep laughter, or even intercourse.
Release Tension
We carry stress in our muscles. When we feel overwhelmed, our muscles tighten in defence. The more you stretch, the less tense your muscles will be. Stretching is a very effective form of stress management.
Improved Flexibility
The more you stretch, the more you move your muscles, and the more flexible you become. Over time, stretching will become easier for your body which will result in improved flexibility.
Calmed Mind
Stretching provides your mind with a mental break. It allows you to recharge and refresh the blood flow throughout your body, resulting in a calmer and more peaceful mindset.
Posture
Stretching is also beneficial to improve your posture. Poor posture is an increasingly common problem, but one which can easily be reversed and healed with daily stretching.
Because stretching strengthens your muscles and encourages proper alignment, your body posture will be less slouched and more vertical.
Increased Energy
Because stretching allows for increased blood and nutrient flow throughout the body, not only will you feel refreshed, but your energy levels will also increase, resulting in an improved sense of invigoration.
Our muscles need to be kept in good condition for moving around in daily life. Therefore, don’t limit your stretching to workouts. All the same benefits apply whether you’re working out or not. Taking just a few minutes a day to stretch can help us get into the habit of taking care of our bodies with exercise.
