The importance of stretching
Stretching helps to improve energy, focus, and agility. Just 5–10 minutes in the morning can help energize you the whole day!
We all know that getting regular exercise is so important but how many of us make time to exercise and then don’t have enough time to stretch or simply make it not a priority? But stretching is so important for any age. Our bodies are designed to move but also designed to stay mobile and flexible. How about we make stretching a daily routine? You can start by simply adding one stretch a day and especially one that you need the most.
There’s a reason most people don’t wake up in the morning and jump right out of bed, ready to tackle a tough fitness routine. Lying still for hours at a time can result in feeling stiff and sore first thing in the morning.
Stiffness occurs in the morning after waking up because you are starting to move after your longest period of inactivity, which is while you sleep. The muscles, joints, and fascia have very limited activity in your sleep and often get tight.
She said that stiffness can also be caused by mattresses and pillows that don’t properly support the body.
Physical activity definitely has a benefit of improving mental health; it releases endorphins and hormones such as serotonin that directly improve mood decrease stress and anxiety.
And on those days you can’t get an actual workout in, stretching still offers some real benefits. Stretches are especially important for older people.
The importance of stretching becomes necessary As we age, our bodies naturally experience a decline in flexibility and mobility. This can lead to stiffness, discomfort, and even pain. Stretching is an excellent way to combat these issues, helping to improve flexibility, balance, and range of motion.
Benefits:
- Increases your flexibility
- Increases your range of motion
- Improves your performance in physical activity and day to day chores
- Increases blood flow to your muscles
- Improves your posture
- Helps to heal and prevent back pain
- Great for stress relief
- Calms your mind
The pigeon pose targets the hip flexors, glutes, and piriformis muscles, it helps improve the range of motion in the hips. It may also strengthen the muscles that support the hips and lower back. Pigeon pose may also help relieve lower back pain by stretching the muscles and tendons around the spine.
