What if you could add one activity to your daily routine that not only created balance in your body but mind and soul as well? What if this one thing didn’t cost a dime and could be done anywhere and at any time? Sounds pretty good, right? So what is this mystical thing that can increase mental alertness and add vitality to your day? Stretching!
That’s right, stretching. Stretching offers benefits that far exceed just warming up muscles when you wake up in the morning or before exercise. Top athletes, performers, anyone that’s physically active for long amounts of time are familiar with the benefits of stretching. However, for many of us, stretching just isn’t a thought in our minds throughout the day. It should be, though. It doesn’t take a lot of time or resources. It’s easy to do and if you are an instant gratification kind of person, it’s important to know that stretching benefits your body the moment you begin. Here are five great reasons to stretch daily:
More energy. Stretching increases energy in the body by encouraging blood flow. Glucose and oxygen found in blood cells gets pushed to all areas when stretching, especially the brain. When you wake up, spend a few minutes stretching in all directions. It’s especially helpful when that dreaded after lunch lull hits. Get up and get stretching to drive away afternoon mental fuzziness.
Less pain. Stretching can help reduce pain, especially for those who suffer from back, joint or muscle pain. Stretching counteracts the detrimental effects of poor posture and helps to relieve tension being held within joints and muscles. Simple stretches every morning and every night can have a big impact on pain levels and recovery from sore muscles.
Greater balance. Stretching can lead to overall better body balance. Better body balance increases your range of motion. This can lead to a reduction in risk of injury. As your body gets stronger, you also can recover from injury faster. Better balance is especially important for people as they age. Aging tends to decrease mobility, making everyday tasks like walking and bending over to pick something up more difficult. Cultivating a habit of stretching can help to counteract these age-related changes and help you stay active and mobile.
Lower stress levels. Stretching can reduce stress levels and bring on the calm. This reason alone should be enough to make stretching part of your day! As mentioned, increased blood flow in the body can have numerous benefits. One of which is supporting the brain. Oxygen-rich brains are more likely to be alert and stay calm. Another amazing achievement is increased flexibility, which helps to lower physical tension in the body. A less tense body is happier, healthier and is more restful during down time. (Speaking of reducing stress and tension, our Wanae Calm daily CBD oil supplement was developed to target and lower cortisol levels.)
Better sleep. Yes, stretching can even affect the quality of our sleep. Adding relaxing stretches before bedtime can help your body prepare and calm down. Throwing off the responsibilities and duties of the day, a relaxed mind and body is more likely to fall asleep on its own and rest deeper through the night. A more restful sleep is like the gift that keeps on giving, allowing you to wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day.
Ready to get going? Here are a few stretches to incorporate into your morning routine. Stretching can benefit every part of your day. Not just for waking up, incorporating stretches throughout the day gives your body the opportunity to be stronger, calmer and more flexible.
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