Why stretching is important now more than ever
by Tia Dewick in News
As some of you may know, there are many physical and mental health benefits associated with stretching. Given the mental health challenges we will all be experiencing in the present climate due to being predominantly housebound, stretching can help us stay sane. Stretching in itself can help reduce depression, anxiety, stress and improve our overall mood which we all need all the help we can get right now! I know it’s somewhat hard to believe how such a small activity can help improve your mental health, but trust me it works! Give it try! On top of these fantastic mental health benefits, I also really want you to focus on how stretching will help improve your current physical health.
Due to the increased volume of sedentary behaviour we will inevitably be facing with the present housebound lifestyle and limited quality equipment (for example some of you may be required to sit on the sofa whilst on your laptop, or your desk may be too low which may cause your neck to tilt forward and consequently place extra strain through your neck and shoulders). Therefore, to limit the negative symptoms associated with sedentary behaviour, stretching can help improve posture, help to relieve muscle tension (which may also help prevent headaches), knots and back pain and also helps increase blood circulation to the muscles (which will help speed up your recovery and help prevent muscle soreness and DOMS from your participation in our live workouts!).
As always, stretching can help improve your flexibility and range of motion which in turn will help prevent your risk of injury. And finally, my favourite benefit of stretching, improved sleep! There are many other benefits of stretching but I wanted to keep this blog short and sweet so you take away the key messages of why implementing just 2, 30 minute stretching sessions a week will help you get through the present climate.
Lizzie will be dedicating her Thursday lunchtime groups to stretching whilst we are out of the studio so why not give it a whirl?! Keep well everyone and I will see you soon during my live sessions!
Don’t forget to subscribe to our new YouTube channel where you can find some of our mobility and stretch routines that you can follow:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_yNtsVr8458iF6psy6AFaQ