Why Stretching Is More Important Than You Think
You have probably heard before that stretching is beneficial for you and that it is important for keeping flexible, but many of us still underestimate the importance of stretching and all its benefits.
Nowadays where we spend more and more of our days in a sitting down position, it is more important than ever to include movement and stretching in our daily lives, to keep ourselves healthy and mobile.
Stretching is a great way to add in a little burst of movement into your life, which can be down anywhere and does not take a lot of time at all.
Either before/ after exercise or just simply doing stretching because it feels good, stretching can pretty much be recommended to everyone and can bring almost immediate benefits to all who do it.
So how exactly is the best way to stretch, what kind of stretching is there and what are its proclaimed benefits? Read on to find out.
Wishing you happy stretching :)
Types of stretches
Active
A type of stretching where you hold a certain pose while exclusively utilizing the muscles within the muscle group that you re targeting
Example: Pointing and flexing your ankle, which stretches the calf muscles (One muscle is being contracted, while the other lengthened)
Passive
Passive stretching involves holding a stretching pose in a way that you are letting your hand or gravity perform the stretch. This type of stretching is excellent for enhancing balance.
Example: Performing hamstring stretches by trying to touch your toes by bending over ins a standing up position.
Dynamic
In dynamic stretching you are required to do repeated movements and produce momentum, with which you slowly stretch the muscles.
Example: Doing a hamstring stretch where you are swinging up your legs (extended), while standing up
BASICS OF STRETCHING
When to stretch?
Before and after exercise
Between long periods of sitting down/ inactivity
How long should stretching last?
Do the stretches slow and careful to not over stretch a muscle, especially after exercise
Hold each stretching position for about 20-30 seconds
Make sure to breathe deeply while doing the stretches
Stretching can last as long as you want it, but I would advise 5-10 minutes each before exercise and after
Optional equipment
Foam rollers
Blocks
Resistance bands/ elastics
Exercise mat
10 BENEFITS OF REGULAR STRETCHING
Greatly increases your flexibility
Increases your range of motion and mobility
Improves your performance in physical activities
Reduces chances of injuring yourself during exercise
Increases blood flow to your muscles
Improves your posture
Helps to heal and prevent back pain
Great for stress relief
Calms your mind (Especially slower stretching)
Helps decrease tension and headaches
