Five Reasons Why You Should Stretch Everyday

Exercising is a great way to boost physical well-being and the emotional wellness of a person. That’s because exercise releases oxytonic or happy hormones in the body and relieves the person of any possible stress. Most of us do not exercise, despite knowing how it benefits our body.

Working out helps the body’s organs and joints stay healthy, in shape, and better positioned to support mobility. However, most people ignore it and cite a lack of time for not exercising. But did you know that something as simple as stretching could also be a great way to keep your body fit? Here are five reasons why you should stretch every day and do it religiously!

Enhances Posture

Most of us work on computers and commute long distances to work. This causes the muscles in the back and neck to get stiff and thus sore. According to several orthopedic doctors, the common reason for back and neck pain is bad posture. While people spend hundreds of dollars to fix this and continue to suffer for years, you can treat yourself by spending just a few minutes every day. All you have to do is stretch and flex your back and neck muscles. This will reduce the stiffness, improve your posture, and thereby reduce pain.

Reduces Pain

When you sit, sleep, or remain in the same posture for a long time, it makes your muscles stiff. This stiffness then causes muscle catch, wear and tear, and pain. However, when you stretch, you help the muscles flex and reduce the pain.

You will notice a significant reduction in body pain when you kickstart your day with stretches. To avoid this muscular stiffness, every workout session, under the guidance of a trainer, starts with a stretching session.

 Reduces Stress

Exercise in any form increases blood flow to the brain and the body as a whole. This makes you feel rejuvenated and relaxed. Along with causing mental fatigue, anxiety, and depression, stress also has many physiological reactions. For instance, when under stress, you are more likely to experience pain in your joints, along with stiffness and cramps. Meditation, controlled breathing and focused stretching will relieve you of the psychological and physiological effects of stress.

This is one reason why a lot of people count on Yoga as a way to relieve themselves of stress. The muscles become more flexible and are less likely to end up in a cramp or a catch.

Better Blood Circulation

Regular stretching helps improve the circulation in your body. The muscles receive more oxygen and blood, which is essential in healing any repaired tissues, removing toxins, and recover from any injury. This is the reason why physiotherapists insist on starting the sessions with minor stretches even when you are recovering from fractures, muscle tears, and other severe injuries.

The increase in blood flow is also said to boost your mood and help you feel energetic all day long. Besides that, the enhanced blood circulation will prevent your body from having any damages or injuries during workouts. This is why you are less likely to end up with muscle soreness after an exercise on days that you start the session by stretching your muscles. Common sensations like numbness in the legs, cold feet, etc., are signs that you have bad circulation. You can fix this by stretching out those muscles.

Strengthens the Muscles

You will start noticing that it is easier to perform day-to-day tasks when you start your day with stretches that last for around 20 to 30 seconds each. This is because muscle strength builds over time. As your body gets stronger, it is also said to slow the aging process. So, that’s a win-win!

While it is of great benefit to stretch your muscles every day, be careful not to overdo it. While it might seem like a good idea to stretch yourself regularly and do it for longer periods to feel more flexible, the contrary of that is what would happen. Your muscles might end up sore and weak the muscles. So, always consult your fitness trainer and your orthopedic doctor or physiotherapist before getting into a new fitness routine.