Benefits of Stretching

Your body is made to stretch - how else could you pick up the toys on the floor or reach that tin on the shelf. Your body is flexible - it is supposed to be flexible!

This is basic stretching - easy, but if you are already struggling with these then you really need a proper stretching program. If the above is easy then you have to stretch a but further!

What Is Stretching?

Stretching is just elongating your body to its full length. When stretching you need to straighten or stretch your limbs.

How Do You Stretch?

As stretching is done as part of a daily routine, without you even realising, it is an easy activity and can be done by most people - regardless of age.

However, as you age, your muscles tighten and the range and extent of stretching will differ. To keep your current lifestyle, especially if you are active, you need to have a stretching routine as part of your everyday plan otherwise as you get older, your flexibility becomes very limited.

It takes no time at all to do simple stretching and add them to your daily routine. They can easily be done everyday.

Stretching is so important that it is an integral part of all exercise plans. It must be incorporated into all training programs and stretching is excellent preparation for more stiff activity.

The most common stretching carried out for training purposes is to sit on the floor, straighten legs out in front and reach to touch your toes with your fingertips. You should always carry out stretching and warming up before you carry out any exercise or sport.

Ten minutes is the ideal length of time to do stretching exercises. It gives your body enough time to move and become flexible enough to carry out further exercises.

If you are using stretching as a warm up, you should not do so for more than 10 minutes as your body will be worn out. It's not a good idea to increase this if you are preparing for further exercise or for a game.

What Are the Benefits of Stretching?

1. Increase the Range of Movement

The length and flexibility of your muscles and tendons are increased if you regularly carry out stretching exercises. Continuing to do these exercises will increase your ease of movement. This can help significantly to prevent injury.

2. Increased Ability to Perform Skills

Once your muscles are flexible enough, you will be able to do more things. You'll be able to take up a new sport or generally improve your lifestyle. You will be able to be more active.

3. Injury Prevention

It is possible to prevent injury to joints, tendons and muscles simply by carrying out stretching exercises. The muscles and tendons, when in good working order, are well flexed which will assist in quicker recovery and reduced soreness. If you are flexible, the muscles of your body will be able to take a more punishing routine with less chance of injury.

4. Reduce Muscle Tension

General muscle pain or problems will be relieved with regular stretching exercises as they will probably not tighten as much.

5. Enhance Energy

Your energy levels will increase because of your ability to move with ease. It will give you more general confidence - if you have a body that is physically fit it adds to positive mental health.

6. Reduces Cholesterol

Prolonged stretching exercises, such as yoga, have been proven to help reduce cholesterol in the body. It's not just exercise which can do this but a general healthy diet which could also prohibit problem with the hardening of your arteries which prevents illnesses such as coronary diseases.

It is important for your general health to include stretching into your everyday lifestyle. Every little bit helps - just your usual day to day activities, bending and flexing a couple of times a day all adds up to helping your general fitness and keeping your body healthy.