Are you a fan of stretching? Do you often stretch your body?
I love stretching. Luckily I am naturally flexible and having been a dancer in my 20s definitely helped me maintain my flexibility. Although I am no longer dancing as a professional, I do stretching every day and I would like to encourage people to do so.
Stretching is an essential part of any physical activity or exercise routine. Not only does it prepare your body for physical exertion, but it also helps promote flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. However, stretching can also have a positive impact on mental health by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and improving mood.
So, let's explore the benefits of stretching for both the body and mind!
Benefits of Stretching for the body
By doing regular stretching exercises, it can improve your range of motion and flexibility, making it easier to perform everyday activities with ease. Then it can also help prevent injuries by increasing blood flow to your muscles, reducing muscle tension, and improving joint mobility, and also the recovery time if there is an injury.
Especially doing stretching before and after exercise can help prepare your body for physical activity and help improve endurance, strength, and agility.
Benefits of Stretching for the Mind
When you stretch your body, it helps you release tension in the body, it naturally promotes relaxation and reduces stress. Then it can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters that can help improve your overall mood and sense of well-being.
For this reason, I like to do a bit of release exercise before my meditation. It helps you become aware of your body and your breath, promoting mindfulness and helping with my focus.
I also do some stretching before going to bed. As it helps my body and mind relax, promoting better sleep and helping me feel more rested and refreshed.
Tips to Incorporate Stretching into Your Routine
In order to experience the benefits of stretching, it is important to incorporate it into your daily routine.
Here are some tips!
Start slow and gently. Gradually increase your flexibility over time. Yoga is another exercise that I do to for maintaining flexibility and strength.
Do small stretching exercises here and there. I call it micro stretching. Just doing some stretching whenever you get a chance, like while waiting for the bus, or sitting on the train (then you can do your head and neck, or rolling ankles etc)
Make it into a habit. Once you incorporate stretching into your daily routine, and it becomes your habit, then you will notice the difference when you don't do it. It is the same as when you are used to showering every day then when you skip, you feel a little uncomfortable and you naturally want to do it.
I love these stretches/releasing exercises. Definitely feel I have more energy after I do them and they help to wake me up and calm me down before bed!