5 Reasons To Stretch Every Morning

As we get older, we become less flexible, and we often experience back and joint pains, and we may begin to slouch. But, it doesn’t have to be that way!

Something as simple as stretching every morning before work can do wonders for your posture and ensure you remain subtle and flexible during the aging process.

Here are 5 reasons to make stretching every day a must.

1. Improve Your Posture

In today’s sedentary world, it is easier than ever before to develop bad posture. If you spend most of your days sitting behind a desk or slumped in front of a computer, your back muscles are going to tighten. Your body is going to start remembering this position, making it harder to maintain good posture in your free time.

Bad posture can lead to back pains, make certain tasks more difficult, and lead to sagging shoulders.Good posture has loads of health and well-being benefits. It can make you appear more confident and even helps alleviate anxiety. It may even make you appear thinner and taller.

Would you believe just by standing up straight you can burn around 350 calories a day and be more productive? It helps keep your airways open and allows more oxygen to flow through your body to ensure proper breathing. Also, it can help you tone up your abs, strengthen your core, and alleviate stress.

2. Less Pain

Doctors believe that morning stretches can help reduce those pesky aches and pains in your joints and muscles. It also helps with that nagging morning stiffness that we often experience getting out of bed.

If you suffer from back pain, then stretching in the mornings can be particularly effective. Not only will the stretching reduce the pain, but it can reduce tension in your back muscles and spine.

3. Improves Energy Levels

If you feel too tired to stretch, do it anyway! Afterward, you’ll find that you suddenly have the energy to make it through the rest of the day! Stretching increases blood flow and moves more oxygen to your muscles and brain, which results in more energy and improved concentration. It will also help you relax and be mentally sharp.

Stretching can also increase vitality and remove more waste from your muscle tissues, so you’re more alert and ready to take on whatever life throws at you!

4. Improves Flexibility

When you spend the majority of your time sitting down, it tightens your muscles and decreases your flexibility. This makes you far more susceptible to injuries later in life and limits your mobility and freedom. Improved flexibility helps you maintain better balance and coordination.

5. Improves Mood

You may think that an extra ten minutes in bed would do much more for your mood than stretching, but in reality stretching can do wonders for your mood levels and happiness. Stretching is a physical activity just like other forms of exercise, and it accelerates the release of endorphins.

Endorphins are sometimes referred to as nature’s “high” and for good reason. They improve your mood and make you feel more positive.

If you have a stressful job and tend to sweat the small stuff, then stretching in the morning can really make a difference.

Getting Started

Start with this simple relaxation exercise: Slowly roll down your spine head first until you are bent over your legs as if you were trying to touch your toes. Once you are down, swing your arms and gently shake your back, and then slowly roll up one vertebrae at a time until you are in an upright position again. Your head should be the first thing to go down and the last thing to go up. This simple exercise will gently exercise your spine, help straighten you out, and improve relaxation at the same time!

Are you starting to experience some aches and pains? Stretching only 10 minutes in the morning may be just what you need. So, what are you waiting for? Try it for a week, and let us know if you notice a difference.

References:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/430886-what-are-the-benefits-of-stretching-in-the-morning/

http://goodrelaxation.com/2012/02/health-benefits-of-stretching-in-the-morning/

http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/importance-stretching-after-waking-up-4495.html