Taking care of your body physically is a huge contributor to your overall health. Stretching for just five to ten minutes a day can be an extremely beneficial factor to increasing your physical and mental health and well being. Here are some tips on how to be consistent, and why is is so important!
There are many benefits to stretching including increased flexibility which leads to less injuries and overall helps improve and levitate chronic pain. Stretching also helps maximize muscle performance, strength and power. But, stretching is something that so many people skip. Whether you are consistent in the gym or not, you need to be consistent with your stretching habits.
Stretching has many other mental health benefits as well. Often times people think that a ‘light stretch’ will do the job, but it is much ore difficult than that. Using breathing techniques to sit in a deep, painful stretch forces temporary discomfort and trains your brain to push past difficult things. This helps us create great mental strength through accomplishment, improving our overall mood.
Stretching is also often a tool people use to relax themselves. Whether that be at the begging of a crazy day or week or right before bed to maximize sleep opportunity, stretching is a great way to get both the mind and body on the same page, and to relax.
Here is an example of a great night-time stretching routine I like to do that helps me get my mind and my body ready for bed.
Stretching before and after working out is also some of the most important times that you can do this. Stretching should be done before and after any cardio, strength or agility training to ensure you are getting the most use out of your muscles and that they are recovering properly.
Here is an another example of a quick warm up and cool off stretching routine.
When you are stretching, it is important to note that you have the potential to over stretching yourself. It is okay to be ambitious with your goals, but just like anything else this needs to come in moderations. Over stretching something before it is ready can result in muscular injury and intense pain.
To be sure you don’t do this it is important you listen to your body. Pushing through pain is important to make sure muscles release, but if there is a pain that feels extremely intense to not right, stop, let the muscle rest and try stretching it again in the next day or two.
Having patience with your body and staying consistent will be the best way to gain flexibility and unlock all of the health benefits that come with it.
To stay consistent with your stretching plan, I suggest pick a period of the day that is consistent in your everyday routine that you can implement five to ten minutes of stretching into your day. Set goals for yourself, set timers for yourself and track your progress and growth.
Stretching is such an important key in keeping your body as physically healthy as possibly. To maximize your overall physical health, stretching needs to be a part of your daily life.
