The health benefits of exercising are well-known and well-promoted. A step to good physical health that is often missed is the addition of stretching. Stretching should be done before and after workouts to increase benefits. Stretching is also beneficial to your daily routine, whether in the morning, evening, or throughout the day. No matter when you choose to add stretching into your day, it is very beneficial to your health.
It is important to practice care when incorporating stretching into your routine. It is possible to get injured from improper stretches. Legs, hips, lower back, neck, and shoulders are muscles to focus on. Make sure you focus on spending equal effort on both sides of the body. When stretching, the goal is not to push yourself past the point of pain. Instead, stretch as far as you comfortably can and hold for 20 or 30 seconds. Repeat the stretches five to ten times and avoid bouncing for the best results. Consult your chiropractor or doctor about routines that are right for you.
Stretching provides the following benefits to your health.
Increases flexibility and your physical well-being.
Regular stretches allow your muscles to become more flexible. You may not be doing much physical movement if you have a sedentary job. You need to be sure your muscles are getting stretched enough. Muscles that are not used or stretched will become rigid in position, which can make some daily tasks difficult. Bending down, lifting, or turning could be painful. If you incorporate stretching exercises into your routine, you’ll find that your flexibility will improve. You’ll have fewer issues with pain caused by movement. Stretching can reduce chronic pain. Pain that is caused by tight or pulled muscles could be relieved by increasing flexibility in those muscles. Blood flow through muscles is also increased through stretching, which also can relieve pain or discomfort.
Improves your mental health.
Stretching in the evening can be great for relaxation. Practices such as yoga promote slow, intentional stretches and deep breathing. These types of movements help relieve pain as well as encourage a calm state of mind. Adding in a yoga stretch before bed can improve your ability to fall asleep as well as the quality of your sleep. Good sleep is closely linked to mental health. If you are getting quality sleep, you are more likely to be able to manage stress efficiently.
Stretching increases the benefits of your workout.
Stretching before a workout ensures your muscles will be ready for movement. It is important to make sure you warm up your muscles before stretching them. Good warm-up exercises could be activities such as jogging or jumping jacks. If you don’t warm up before stretching, you risk pulling a muscle or injuring yourself.
Stretches after a workout provide a cool down for your body. The movement allows nutrients to move throughout your muscles. Adding deep breathing and slow motions to your stretch also allows your body to return to its resting state.
Stretching is a great addition to your chiropractic care.
Routine stretches often complement the work of your chiropractor. Your chiropractor may recommend stretches that will reinforce the areas of improvement you’ve been getting in treatment.
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Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
