Working out is obviously very important, but without other changes in lifestyle – diet, routine, etc. – the amount of improvement that exercise makes will be limited. Other than the obvious things, one of the most under-appreciated supplemental activities to working out is stretching. Today, we’ll cover the health benefits of stretching and why you, as someone who’s very health conscious, should stretch every day.
- Stretching loosens and elongates your muscles. Five to ten minutes of stretching at the beginning and end of a workout can make a world of difference. Especially if your job requires you to sit in the same position all day long, taking a little bit of time to stretch out your muscles helps to lengthen them, lowering the chances of discomfort or pain. Stretching also increases your flexibility. It gives you that limber, young feeling that’s so easy to lose over time.
- Stretching helps to build muscle. As you can see in many yoga gurus, the strength that gets built from continual stretching and body weight activity is astonishing. If your muscles get fatigued after a long workout, stretching needs to be of the utmost priority. Satisfying your muscles isn’t only about working out and eating well, you also need to pay attention to the simple body maintenance issues that create problems over time.
- Stretching helps with a fast recovery. Stretching helps to alleviate the toxins that slowly deteriorate your muscles over time. If you’ve ever felt pain in your muscles that doesn’t seem to go away, it’s most likely the toxins that have built up. Running also helps to rid your body of toxins, which is why many trainers suggest combining cardio and strength training.
- Stretching helps to release emotional tension. Both working out and stretching release endorphins in the brain, which are natural chemicals that give the brain the same happy feeling that the simple joys in life do. As with other modes of physical fitness, stretching – and especially yoga – give you an outlet, a way to exert force in a non-harmful manner. Stretching makes you push yourself. It takes the pent up emotions and struggles in your life and gives you a way out, a release.
The benefits of stretching are overwhelming. If you truly care about your body and its long-term well-being, then make a daily commitment to stretching. Keep calm and stretch on!