There is no doubt that exercise benefits both physical and mental health. Another form of exercise is stretching, which offers not only physical benefits but mental benefits as well.
Why Stretch?
Stretching is important because it gives your muscles flexibility, strength, and helps keep your joints healthy. Here are a few benefits you will receive from stretching regularly:
- Better exercise and athletic performance
- Improves blood flow
- Improves posture
Stretching and Mental Health
Another significant benefit of stretching is that it enhances your mental and physical health. Stretching helps you in the following ways:
Relieves Stress
When you are stressed, your muscles are usually tight. This is because muscles tend to tighten up as a response to stress. Stretching helps to loosen those muscles and make you more relaxed. To get stress relief, concentrate your stretching on the areas of the body that you usually hold in your stress, such as the neck and shoulders.
Can Help With Headaches
If you get tension headaches, stretching can help. Because stretching helps loosen muscles and relieve stress, it also helps relax the neck muscles, helping ease tension headaches. Drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep can also help you manage tension headaches.
Helps Calm Your Mind
If you stretch regularly, you can use that time to practice mindfulness and meditation. As you reach, pay attention to how your body feels. Notice how your muscles feel tight and how they feel as they loosen up. Breath deeply and feel the tension leaving your body. You can even play some relaxing music to help breath and stretch.
Stretching is a form of exercise and during activity, the body releases endorphins, which make you calmer and happier.
Although stretching seems like a small activity, it has significant benefits. Stretching not only improves your flexibility, but it also helps keep your muscles and joints in shape. By helping to assist tense muscles to relax, stretching can help you feel less stressed and give you a calmer, more relaxed feeling.
Comments