What are the benefits of stretching daily?

1. Increases your flexibility and range of motion
2. Reduces your risk of injury
3. Can improve strength and performance
4. Relieves stress and its symptoms
5. Improves your posture
6. Promotes blood flow to your muscles

Even if you just have a few minutes to do so, the benefits of stretching daily are huge. Your body is made up of hundreds of muscles, ligaments, and tendons that are made to be used daily but can become injured easily without the right care. Stretching is an important part of preparing your body to move without issue. Here are a few ways that a quick daily stretch routine can help your body.

Increases your flexibility and range of motion

Flexibility is a very important ability for your body since it is what allows your muscles, tissues, and joints to move comfortably through a wide range of motion. Even actions as simple as bending down to pick something up need some flexibility to do. Stretching is critical for promoting flexibility and range of motion, which it does by lengthening and relaxing your muscles in preparation for movement. Research has shown that stretching daily — or at least five days a week — can improve your flexibility and range of motion in the long run. 

Reduces your risk of injury

“Warming up” before strenuous activities or workouts is always encouraged by trainers and doctors alike. This is because it primes both your musculoskeletal and nervous systems for the upcoming stress your body is about to experience — without it, your muscles and tissue are more likely to strain or tear from the exertion. Stretching is one of the ways you can warm up before engaging in physical activity, and dynamic stretches in particular are great at protecting your muscles and tissue from injury.

Can improve strength and performance

You won’t gain strength or improve athletic performance by simply stretching a few minutes every day. But, as we mentioned previously, stretching does enhance your flexibility and range of motion. With this, you’ll be able to activate more muscle easily while exercising. When you’re able to activate more muscles, you may find that you’re able to lift heavier weights or do more reps during your training sessions. 

Relieves stress and its symptoms

Certain symptoms of stress, such as neck and shoulder pain, headaches, and fatigue, are signs that your body may be tensing up due to the overload of stress. Left unaddressed, this could be damaging to both your physical and mental health. Slow and controlled practices — such as a stress routine — are great ways to ease that muscle tension and deal with symptoms of stress.

Improves your posture

Working at your desk — especially nowadays where most of us work from home — can rob you of good posture. Slouching at your desk or staying seated for hours without much movement can contribute to poor posture. This may result in pain and soreness, especially in your neck and back. Stretching daily is one of the most important habits to getting through your workday without sacrificing your muscle health. Standing up and stretching out your neck, arms, back, and legs at short intervals throughout the day will reduce muscle pain and encourage proper alignment.  

Promotes blood flow to your muscles

Daily stretching can also improve your circulation. This promotes healthy blood flow towards your muscles, which has many benefits. For example, more blood flow means that your muscles recover faster from post-workout soreness. Another benefit is that it gives you a boost of energy, so stretching now and again could give you a much-needed pick-me-up when you’re feeling sluggish. 

Key Takeaway

There are many benefits of stretching daily. Adding a short but comprehensive stretch routine to your day not only improves your muscle health but can also make you feel much healthier and stronger in the long run.  Want to learn more about how you can protect your muscle and bone health? Check out Chiropractor Philippines’ blog, or contact our team for more tips.

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