It is recommended to stretch when your muscles and body are still warm, which is normally right when you get out of bed in the morning. Not only does stretching in the morning give you more energy, but it can also help to improve your posture, increase flexibility in your joints, increase blood flow and lessen any aches or pains you may have.
Loosening the muscles in the body is easily accomplished with morning stretches that focus on opening them up.
Here are five easy stretches to start your day:
Child Pose Stretch – While resting your forehead and knees on the floor, allow the belly to sit between the knees. This is great for gently stretching out the hips, pelvis, calves, and back. It also calms the brain and relieves tension and exhaustion; it’s good to start the day off right and improve your overall physical and mental health.
Cat-Cow Stretch – These two poses combined will improve the circulation of the spinal fluid. This will help lubricate the spine and stretch out your back and torso muscles. This may help you feel less tense throughout the day.
Downward Facing Dog Stretch – This stretch is perfect for the morning since it resets the nervous system, calms the brain, and energizes the body. It may also help those who suffer from sciatica or fatigue.
Warrior Stretch – This stretch will help increase stability in your hips, concentration and energize the body as a whole. Warrior strengthens your shoulders, your spine, your sides, your legs, and your ankles. It expands your legs, chests, and lungs and increases your breathing. While standing, press your hands firmly together, put one foot behind you, and the other bend in front of the body.
Mountain Pose – This pose works for a variety of muscles in the torso, knees, heart, and arms. This will leave you feeling energized by increased blood flow throughout the body. Stand straight and tall, engaging the quads and core.
Benefits of Stretching
Stretching has many benefits that include helping increase your range of mobility and help slow down the degeneration of your joints, making them more flexible and less likely to get hurt. Stretching also improves the blood flow to your muscles and joints, helping the body transfer nutrients and distribute blood more efficiently.
Your lower back, shoulders, and chest muscles need to be stretched daily to help keep a healthy posture. Those who experience chronic muscle tightness need to stretch the body to make the muscles relax. Tense muscles tend to shut off their supply, resulting in a loss of oxygen and vital nutrients.
When you sleep, your muscles relax, your blood pressure decreases, and your pulse rate slows. When you’re sitting in the same place all night, your muscles tighten up. Stretching after sleep and increasing blood flow often feel amazing for all areas of the body.
If you would like more information on healthy lifestyle tips and other services provided, call Suncoast Integrative Healthcare at (727) 866-4420.