9 Key Benefits of Regular Stretching
Discover the Benefits of Regular Stretching
Are you aware of the importance of stretching?
Stretching is an important part of your daily routine. If you don’t have a stretching regimen in place, you definitely need one! A good stretch is the perfect way to start your day no matter what age you are, or what your fitness level might be.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “stretching can increase flexibility and improve your joints’ range of motion, helping you move more freely, and ensuring that you have equal flexibility on both sides might help protect you from injury.”
The benefits of stretching are never ending, but here are the top 9 benefits of incorporating stretching into your daily life include:
9 Benefits of Regular Stretching
1. Improved Energy.
This is the best reason to get in a good stretch first thing in the morning. A few good stretches, conducted properly with deep breathing, can give you the burst of energy you need to start off your day. If you begin to feel sluggish at work during the day, take a quick “stretch break” to boost your energy level.
2. Increased Stamina.
A good, long stretching session after a heavy workout can actually improve the stamina of your muscles. When you stretch, it increases the blood flow to those sore muscles and relieves fatigue. Stretching keeps oxygen flowing to your muscles, which delays the onset of muscle fatigue. As a result, this helps your muscles to “hang in there” for a longer period of time before fatigue sets in!
3. Improved Flexibility.
Physiotherapy helps with improving flexibility and range of motion. Having better flexibility provides a multitude of benefits.
It can improve your physical performance and reduce your chance of injury. The more flexible you are, the less energy your body requires to carry out every day actions.
4. Better Blood Circulation.
One of the main benefits of stretching is that it improves your blood circulation. Blood carries oxygen to your cells and makes you healthier overall by promoting cell growth, and keeping your organs functioning.
Your heart rate is also lowered by stretching. This reduces strain on your heart and makes your blood pressure more consistent.
Better blood circulation from stretching also cuts down on the soreness you feel after working out! It’s a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.
5. Improved Posture.
Stretching every day can help posture by lengthening certain muscles that have a tendency to tighten up when we sit in a chair for work all day. Focusing on your lower back, chest, and shoulders will aid in keeping your spine properly aligned. Stretching also relieves aches and pains, which can cause you to want to slouch.
6. Decreased Muscle Soreness.
Give your muscles plenty of time to relax and loosen up with a good stretch before and after a workout. As mentioned, stretching improves blood flow to the muscles. This carries oxygen and plenty of necessary nutrients to the muscles, which in turn reduces soreness after your workout.
7. Improved Cholesterol.
Stretching sessions can help to reduce cholesterol in your body, as long as you’re also following a heart-healthy diet. This can help you avoid heart disease. Stretching has even been shown to reverse the effects of hardening arteries due to cholesterol.
8. Decreased Risk of Injury.
If you work in an office job at a desk, you might think you have little to no chance of ever seriously getting injured, right? Wrong!
Take this situation for example. You have to bend over and pick up a 20 pound box of office supplies. Hours after, you notice your back is still aching.
You may have pulled or strained a muscle and ended up in physiotherapy to recover. However, if you stick to a regular stretching regimen, this probably won’t happen to you.
9. Decreased Stress.
We all carry stress in our bodies. Too much stress can cause your muscles to contract, which can make you feel tense and on-edge. Stretching releases natural endorphins, which will help you relax, boost your mood, and reduce the amount of stress in your body.
Schedule your consultation!
Do you want to add all these benefits to your daily life? You can easily get started by scheduling your consultation today! One of our physical therapists will discuss the best plan for incorporating daily stretches as a way to improve your overall health and wellness. Your body will thank you!
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273886
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/basics/stretching-and-flexibility/hlv-20049447
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/multimedia/stretching/sls-20076840