The Benefits of Stretching! | Soul Energy Rising

I am sure, if you are, as I am, a health freak, you will probably know all about this. Although I must say hat when I first started training regularly I didn’t know anything about the necessity of stretching. I had heard all about the benefits - we are told constantly when attending the gym but just how important it is was a surprise to me.. It was a chance meeting with an Osteopath that I found out and by this time I had been training regularly for several months and my calf muscles were so tight, I was constantly experiencing cramp. During a conversation the subject of training and muscles came up and he put me right, explaining that stretching would relieve the tightness of the muscles and the cramps and also informed me that stretching was necessary to release the toxins in our muscles which accumulate during training.

We all know the body is flexible. It is supposed to be flexible. You must be able to bend and reach that something you dropped on the floor. You must be able to zip up the back of your favorite dress on your own. You must be able to reach that book you need to read, sitting on the top shelf.

These are simple activities. Nothing grand about them, you merely stretched out a little. However, if there are difficulties in doing such simple motions, then you have to stretch your limits. You already need a stretching program.

What Is Stretching?

Stretching is simply the act of extending to full length the body or simply a part of it. This activity involves straightening or stretching the structure or the limbs.

How Do You Stretch?

Stretching is fairly easy. As mentioned in the introduction, it is a perfectly normal activity which we often do without thinking and of course it can be done by anyone, regardless of age.

However, the extent of stretching and flexing differs according to age. The muscles tighten as a person ages and the range of joint movements diminishes. This can be very debilitating for someone with an on-the-go lifestyle especially when bending or flexing becomes more limited. This is why stretching regularly, as part of a routine is very important.

Simple stretches can be done everyday. It can be incorporated into your lifestyle and daily activities and does not require much of your time.

Stretching exercises should always be done before any training. Stretching is an essential part of any training or sport. It must be done first before anything else. Stretching the body and limbs is a necessary preparation for a more rigorous activity.

Most athletes do the sit and reach, where they position themselves on the floor, extend their legs and reach the tip of their foot with the tip of their fingers. Any sensible trainer would make sure their athletes really do the stretching exercises before any game or competition.

The ideal length of time for stretching is 10 minutes. This gives the body the opportunity to move and flex the muscles, thus preparing them for more complicated and strenuous movements.

Experts in this field actually frown upon going over 10 minutes and are in agreement that stretching exercises of 30 minutes or more will tire the muscles and wear out the body which is not what an athlete needs when preparing for a game or competition.

What Are the Benefits of Stretching?

1. Increase the Range of Movement

If you are consistent with your stretching exercises, the length of the muscles and the tendons will increased which helps to increase the range of your movement. Therefore your limbs and joints will have much more flexibility and you are more physically fit.

2. Increased Ability to Perform Skills

When you have a wide range of movements, you will be able to do more things. For example, you can jump high without feeling any pain when you land back on the floor. It will also help you when starting a new sport or improve your performance skills if you are already active in a sport. Stretching also allows you to have a more active lifestyle.

3. Injury Prevention

One can prevent injury to joints, tendons and muscles with stretching. When the muscles and tendons are well-flexed, they are considered in good working order and this will help in a faster recovery and decreased soreness. The muscles of the body will be able to take more exhausting and rigorous movements with less probability of being injured.

4. Reduce Muscle Tension

If the muscles are given their regular exercises and stretching, it is less likely that they will contract. This will definitely relieve you of any muscle pain or problems such as cramp.

5. Enhance Energy

Being able to move more will also give you more energy. Stretching will also help enhance your awareness, like knowing that you have a body that is capable of doing many things. As such, you are going to feel more and more like being active in some way rather than sitting at home in front of the TV.

6. Reduces Cholesterol

Research also shows that doing prolonged, slow, stretching exercises, like yoga, helps reduce the cholesterol in the body. Of course should be done hand in hand with a healthy diet. It can also prevent and even reverse the hardening of the arteries, allowing you to avoid coronary diseases.

Incorporate stretching in your everyday lifestyle. It has benefits you cannot say no to. It does not require much time and can be part of your usual activities, but with more awareness, just adding some bending and flexing in every now and then. After all, your fitness is vital to a healthy body so do what it takes to make a difference to your body.

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