Do you secretly stifle a yawn when it comes to the stretching part of your workout? Or do you ease yourself in with pleasure? Stretching has come under close scrutiny in recent years – there’s been debate about whether it’s actually beneficial to stretch before a workout or a run, or if people are even doing it right.
Call it controversial, but my take is that if it feels good, do it. Many of my clients have found that not only does it feel good, but that it’s had many benefits too. Regardless of if they’re even doing lots of regular exercise.
Stretching is particularly beneficial if you spend a lot of time in one position. For example, if you’ve got a new baby and all they want to do is feed and sleep (hands up if you’ve ever been nap-trapped? And don’t get me started on the weird positions you end up in, terrified to move in case you wake them!), or if you’re tied to a desk job. Even if you only practice one type of sport e.g. running – you can build up certain tightness because your movement is consistently the same.
Here’s why stretching might be that extra edge you need:
Improves Flexibility and Range of Motion
Ever suddenly realised how getting onto and off the floor is suddenly much harder? This may be a flexibility and range of motion problem – we just don’t move like we used to. But the less we stretch to combat our modern lifestyles, the worse we’ll get at doing simple movements which once felt easy.
As well as overall health and keeping us mobile as we age, regular stretching can improve your fitness performance, technique and reduce your risk of injuries. It can even reduce joint pain.
Better Circulation
Stretching gets blood flowing to your muscles which delivers vital nutrients and oxygen, while also removing metabolic waste products. This can speed up recovery after workouts and reduce muscle soreness. Especially if you’ve been sitting a lot, stretching is essential.
Stress Relief and Relaxation
Do you know the first things a cat does when it’s stressed? It stretches.
And when you stretch, it feels good too, right? That’s because stretching can trigger endorphins, our happy hormones. And stretching can relieve muscle tension and help us move more freely, and even breathe more easily. This in turn affects our mood.
Posture
Even the most upright ballet dancer will find themselves with poor posture if they spend hours hunched over a computer, or sitting on the sofa holding a sleeping baby, or even just chilling on the sofa watching Netflix. Stretching helps combat poor posture which is the result of muscles being held in a tight position. This helps us stand, move and sit in a way that’s more aligned to our natural movement and can reduce the risk of developing things like chronic back and neck pain.
Better Mindfulness
Stretching in itself, is a mindful practice. As you stretch, you’re listening to your body and feeling where it needs more time spent holding the stretch. It can help you connect with your body and bring you to the present, relieve mental stress and improve body awareness.
If you’ve never started stretching before, yet you know you’re in need of it, take the time to start at the top of your body, moving your head from side to side, up and down and work your way down, feeling and noticing areas which feel tight, or as if you can’t move them as much as they should.
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