There are so many benefits to stretching every day and it does not only apply to professional athletes, dancers and yogis. If you have a desk job - this is especially for you! Many studies have shown that doing regular stretching exercises for flexibility does benefit you in a number of ways, having a positive effect both on your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Stretching routine improves your posture
Stretching the muscles of the lower back, chest and shoulders can help keep the spine in a comfortable position and improve overall posture by relieving aches and pains. With less pain, there is no desire to slouch and hunch, but improved self-confidence and beautiful posture.
You have more energy
Just a few minutes of stretching increases blood flow through your entire body—including your brain. Even if you do few simple stretching exercises for beginners you will instantly feel more energized and focused. Having a short stretching break in the middle of the day will allow you to get back to work with fresher mind and relaxed body.
Another health benefit is better coordination
As you stretch you learn more about your body, its limits, its possibilities. Improved range of motion of your joints gives you a better balance and control over your body, which especially comes in handy when you are getting older, preventing the possible injuries and keeping you mobile.
Your flexibility increases
Ever wanted to impress your friends with doing splits or backbends? Regular stretching benefits you in improving the range of motion about your joints, giving you better balance and control of your body as well. It is important to keep yourself mobile on a daily basis to maintain joints being healthy.
You work out better
It may not be a priority, but proper stretching before a workout will flex your joints and muscles, allowing you get deeper into your exercises. For example, flexibility in hip and knee flexors will assist you to do such thing as squats more efficiently. Taking time to stretch after work out will help you to relax muscles and avoid soreness after.
Stretching helps to relieve stress
Everyday stressful situations have a negative effect on your body and make your muscles contract, making you feel tense and uneasy Stretching loosens tight muscles which helps your muscles both relax and increase blood flow, helping the release of endorphins, that gives you a sense of tranquillity.
Less soreness in muscles
Doing stretching exercises before and after a workout gives your muscles some time to relax. Blood flows freely, allowing nutrients get access to the muscles and relieving the soreness. Many professional athletes agree to the necessity of the stretch both before and after work out to improve your performance and maintain your muscles healthy.
Bonus: having a stretching routine improves your mood. Have you ever noticed how much better you feel after doing some exercises? When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins, that make you feel euphoric and feel less pain!
You should always remember to warm up and be careful with your technique while stretching to avoid any possible injuries. It should never feel painful, only a little bit uncomfortable. You can check out our stretching exercises for flexibility for more information.
Do you want to improve your flexibility? Check out our range of stretching equipment in the shop!