MAGAZINE

How many times have we heard about athletes who are on top of their game and are forced to quit their passion due to injuries?...

How many times have we heard about athletes who are on top of their game and are forced to quit their passion due to injuries? How many times did you try to reach something on the top shelf and felt a stinging sensation on your leg, shoulder, or hips? People tend to injure their muscles during sudden movements which are beyond what he or she normally does. An over extended muscle is really painful and can be very dangerous to say the least.

Stretching is a very important aspect in our daily lives that we often take for granted. Not because you have been able to get away and finished your exercise routine without stretching doesn’t mean you can do so again next time. If you make it a habit of bypassing stretching exercises and go straight to your workout, chances are you are due for an injury soon.

There are more to stretching than just preventing injuries. Read on as I explain further what simple stretching exercises can do for your body and the benefits you can get for doing them daily.

Flexibility

Muscles tend to get dull and shorten in time limiting your over all flexibility. Have you placed your palm on the floor by bending over lately? Try it and see if you can reach the floor even with your fingertips. If yes, then good for you, if not, then you need to stretch it out now before it’s too late.

Muscle injuries like sprain, ligament tears and the likes happen because the muscles are too tight and have already shortened due to lack of stretching decreasing its flexibility over time. Sudden tug on these fragile muscles will cause them to break and cause mild to severe injuries.

 Blood Circulation

Studies show that by doing stretching exercises daily, blood is able to reach the extremities well thereby supplying enough nutrients and oxygen to the muscles, increasing its strength and functionality at the same time significantly decreasing the healing time of injuries obtained by the muscle during the day to day activities.

Posture

Slouching is a sign of poor posture and is due mainly to the tightening of the back muscle making your upper body bends forward in an awkward position. If not corrected soon, this could lead to permanent improper posture. Stretching helps ease the back muscles keeping it upright ensuring good posture naturally.

Range of Movements

Stretching will significantly increase fluidity of movement and your range of motion. This will enable you to move freely and without too much restriction. If you are an athlete, this will lead to optimum performance increasing your chances of success. If you are not an athlete, it could still help you in your work.

Helps You Feel Good

Doing stretching exercises every morning will help set your mood throughout the day. It gives the sense of well-being as your body will be energized right from the get go. Stretching coupled with exercise in the morning drives the stress away.

Waking up early in the morning to stretch and exercise before taking a bath and eating your breakfast will most likely guarantee you a very good day ahead physically. Doing stretching before playing games, will make sure your muscles are all warmed up and decrease if not eliminate the chances of injuries. Stretching your neck and back muscles in the middle of whatever you are doing in the office or at home, gives instant relief from pain. So what is there not to like about stretching then? Absolutely Nothing.

If you are not in the habit of stretching daily yet, now is the right time to start. You are never too young or too old to start stretching. Start now and reap the many benefits of stretching and exercise and start living healthy.