Why stretching is important

The body is flexible, and it is supposed to be flexible. You must be able to bend and reach something you dropped on the floor, or to reach that book at the top of the bookshelf. But if you are having difficulties doing even these simple tasks, you have to stretch your limits. Find out how regular stretching can improve your lifestyle.

What is stretching?

Stretching is simply the act of extending to full length the body or a part of it. This activity involves straightening or stretching the structure or the limbs. 

How to stretch

Stretching is fairly easy. Anyone can do it, regardless of age. However, the extent of stretching and flexing is different for everybody. In addition, bending or flexing becomes more limited as we grow older, due to muscles tightening with age. This is why stretching regularly is very important.

Simple stretches can be done everyday. There are stretches that can be incorporated in your daily activities that do not require much of your time. You can do simple stretches for 10 minutes, as this  will give the body enough opportunity to move and flex the muscles, thus preparing it for more complicated and strenuous movements, especially if you want to do other forms of exercise after.

Stretching exercises can also be done while training. In fact, stretching is an essential part of any training or sport--it must be done first before anything else. Stretching the body and the limbs is a good preparation for a more rigorous activity. 

What are the benefits of stretching?

1. It increases your range of movement

As you constantly do stretching exercises, the length of your muscles and tendons are also increased. This will help in increasing the range of your movement. Your limbs and joints will be able to move way before an injury can take place. 

2. Increased ability to perform skills

The more flexible you are, the more you will be able to do more things. For example, you can jump high without feeling any pain when you land back on the floor. This will also help you start a new sport or improve more if you are in one. Stretching also allows you to have a more active lifestyle.

3. Injury prevention

You can prevent injury to joints, tendons, and muscles with stretching. Your muscles will be able to take more exhausting and rigorous movements with less probability of being injured. 

4. Reduce muscle tension

When you regularly exercise and stretch, it is less likely that your muscles will contract. This relieves you of any muscle pain or problems. 

5. Enhance energy

Being able to move more will also give you more energy. Stretching helps enhance awareness that you have a body that is capable of doing many things, making you more driven and comfortable to move.

6. Reduces cholesterol

Research also shows that doing prolonged stretching exercises, like yoga, will help reduce the cholesterol in the body. This of course must be done with a healthy diet at hand. This could prevent and even reverse the hardening of the arteries, allowing you to avoid coronary diseases. 

Check out different fitness classes you can join to incorporate stretching in your lifestyle.