In a rush to get on with my day, I used to always skip stretching exercises. I just wanted to get in my routine and move on.
These days I always make sure that I stretch. Perhaps it’s my age that has awakened me to the necessity of it. But whatever the reason, I have come to see the importance of it.
As you age, so do your joints, which in turn affect your flexibility. Stretching can help improve your range of motion. It can make movement easier.
Stretching is also important because it reduces the risk of being injured when exercising. But it also makes you feel good. Once you start doing it, you can feel the benefits of it physically.
This is why Pilates and yoga have become so popular. People recognize the value of incorporating stretching exercises.
Remember that stretching isn’t supposed to hurt. You are only supposed to push your muscles to the point where you feel tension, not pain.
Stretching should be done before you exercise. However, you should first do a five or ten minute warm-up. This would be light exercises, such as marching in place. After your warm-up, then you should stretch to limber up your muscles.
Don’t forget to stretch afterwards, too. When you end your fitness routine with some stretching exercises, it relaxes your body. That in turn can relax your mind.
You can stretch the muscles in your arms, chest, neck, back and legs. With your arms, you should stretch your deltoid and triceps muscles. With your legs, stretch your quadriceps, hamstring and calf muscles.
Google “stretching exercises” and you will find all kinds of information on specific types you can do. There are even some videos that will show you the correct way to stretch.
Now get out there and do some stretching!
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Photo by Perfecto Insecto in Flickr