The body is meant to be flexible. It should be able to manage small tasks, such as bending over to pick something off the floor. The body should also be able to manage more difficult tasks, such as zipping the back of your favorite dress up on your own or reaching for that book you need for research reading.
These are simple moves that don’t require a lot of exertion. So if there are any difficulties in doing them, you might need to work on your range of motion. You should be stretching anyway so all this will help
What Is Stretching?
Stretching is simply the act of lengthening your body or a body part. This activity can involve stretching one structure, or stretching multiple limbs.
How Does One Do the Stretching?
Stretching is easy. It’s important to stay loose, and this applies whether you’re a young adult or an aging senior. But stretching widely requires different care than when you were in your prime as muscles tighten with age. The range extends for. As a person gets older, their ability to bend or move their joints diminishes. Thus, it becomes more difficult to maintain an active lifestyle as they are growing older. Stretching as part of a routine is essential in promoting good health and longevity.
Try adding some easy stretches to your regular routine. Stretch after a workout, while cooking dinner, or when you’re wake up in the morning. It takes just a few minutes and can help improve your flexibility. It’s important to stretch before any rigorous activity. Why not make it a habit of stretching every day? You would be preparing your body and it could lower the risk for injury.
The Sit and Reach, where you position on the floor and stretch until you’re touching your toes with your fingers, is one of the most common stretching exercises. It’s a good idea to do some stretching anyway before play.
Stretching for 10 minutes is ideal. This will give your body time to warm up and will be enough time to start preparing it for more complicated movements.
Experts have stated that going longer than 10 minutes is advised against, because this might over-exert the body which could lead to injuries. It would be especially detrimental for an athlete preparing for a game.
What Are the Benefits of Stretching?
1. Increase the Range of Movement
Stretching exercises can have a number of benefits, such as making muscles and tendons stronger. This allows you to do more movements with less physical risk. In the end, this leads to reduced injuries and better overall physical performance.
2. Increased Ability to Perform Skills
When you have a wide range of movement, the more things you will be able to do. For example, you’ll be better at sports or other activities that require height – jumping for example. You’ll also feel less pain when landing back on the floor which is great for new or current athletes. Stretching in this area can also make it easier to stay active too.
3. Injury Prevention
Warming up and stretching your muscles can help prevent injury. When muscles and tendons are well-flexed, they’re better able to heal faster. Giving your body a chance to rest will drastically reduce pain. With all the focus put on safety, it’s no wonder athletes are looking for new ways to maintain their physical fitness.
4. Reduce Muscle Tension
If you give your muscles the regular exercise and stretching they need, it’s less likely that they’ll contract. This will definitely relieve you of any problems with them.
5. Enhance Energy
Getting more movement will give you the chance to feel energetic and aware. You’ll be more driven to move around rather than take it easy. Stretching is a great way to improve awareness of your body, like knowing that you’re capable of doing many things. As such, you can take on more challenges.
6. Reduces Cholesterol
Research has found that prolonged stretching exercises, like yoga, can be beneficial to your health in many ways. The practice can not only lower cholesterol but also reverse hardening of the arteries. This means it can protect against heart disease and stroke.
Incorporate stretching throughout your day for benefits you can’t say no to. It doesn’t always have to be formal exercises, just a few simple stretches every now and then will be enough. Your health is worth the effort, so find whatever it takes to get in better shape.