Benefits of Stretching
Benefits of Stretching
Stretching is important to keep muscles flexible and healthy. Flexibility is needed to maintain full range of motion in the joints. Without stretching, muscles shorten and become tight, restricting movement and increasing the chance of injury.
Additional Benefits of Stretching:
- Increases blood flow to muscles
- Improves posture
- Helps to heal and prevent back pain
- Helps reduce or manage stress
- Boosts energy
- Cab lead to better sleep
- Can calm your mind
- Helps decrease tension headaches
The most common types of stretches are static and dynamic. Static stretches involve holding a stretch typically between 10 and 30 seconds and are most beneficial after exercise. Dynamic stretches are active movements usually done before exercise to get muscles ready for movement.
Regardless of your fitness level:
- Don’t bounce
- Don’t stretch beyond the point of tension to pain
- Don’t overdo it
- Don’t go into stretches cold
Stretching may not always be safe if you have an acute or existing injury or a chronic or nagging injury.
The Mayo Clinic's Website offers some safe simple stretching exercises.