Proper and adequate stretching is one of the most overlooked and under-used techniques to achieve top physical performance levels. It’s ironic that it can be done anywhere, anytime, by anyone, yet few people seem to realize the true value in stretching. I can remember as a kid playing sports, no one wanted to stretch. We just wanted to start playing the game. And when it was over, we still did not want to stretch because we would much rather just sit down and rest. All we were told about stretching was that it would help prevent muscle pulls. There was essential no education with respect to the potential benefits stretching can provide.
Now that I am older, more educated and athletically accomplished, I have a greater appreciation for stretching and have even learned to enjoy doing it. Rather than just talking about what stretching can help prevent, I want to focus on what it can offer and increase.
Increased Flexibility & Range of Motion of Joints – How many times have you seen a child bending and twisting in ways that seem impossible? As we get older and our muscles tighten, we begin to lose that natural flexibility in our muscles and joints. This loss of range of motion also seems to accelerate with age. Eventually, we notice that the most basic activities, like tying our shoes or putting socks on, can feel daunting and difficult. Fortunately, regular stretching will help lengthen your muscles allowing you to regain that lost flexibility and range of motion.
Enhanced Muscular Coordination – Not only does stretching help to lengthen muscle tissues, but it also helps improve muscle coordination. By stimulating your muscles through stretching, you are activating and enhancing the communication between the cells which in turn increases your muscular coordination.
Improved Posture – When our muscles are chronically tense or tight, they will begin to negatively impact the natural, healthy posture of our skeletal system. Having tight muscles which pull awkwardly on our bones can then affect or nervous system which is primarily housed in our spine. An impaired nervous system can result in pain, discomfort, malfunctioning organs, improper digestion, poor sleep and chronic disease. Stretching will help to alleviate the forces contributing to bad posture and work to re-establish proper alignment.
Improved Circulation & Energy Levels – Stretching can enhance circulation of blood to our muscles and joints. This improvement of circulation has been shown to increase energy, longevity, vitality and well being, as well as reduce the risk of arterial/heart disease and cholesterol imbalances. With better blood flow, our cells and tissues throughout our body are able to receive more nutrients and expel waste products more efficiently.
Relaxation & Stress Relief – It is very common for people to hold their stress in their muscles, particularly the neck, shoulder and back muscles. When performed properly, stretching helps to ease the tension of tight muscles resulting from stress accumulation. The relaxation effect of stretching will vary from one person to the next. Some people may feel the stress being release while performing the stretches. Other people may feel a sense of relaxation after the stretching has been completed. But in either case, the benefits will be a relaxing relief.
Greater Sense of Well-being – With improved flexibility, range of motion, coordination, posture, circulation and relaxation, you can expect to feel an increased sense of well-being. The natural health benefits and improvements experienced from stretching enable us to become more aware of our internal wellness. When our health is enhanced from the inside, it begins to radiate outwards and can positively affect all aspects of our lives.
Relieve Pain & Prevent Injury – Although I want to emphasize all the ways stretching enhances our health, I also want to briefly mention how it can prevent issues from developing. As mentioned above, stretching helps to reduce muscle pain and tension. The overall improvements in muscle flexibility, coordination and communication allows or bodies to adapted quicker to sudden changes it may experience. This ability to react quickly directly improves our ability to stay healthy and prevent injury. Whether you are an athlete or not, preventing injury is an important aspect to reaching our top physical potential. It makes far more sense to allow our bodies to use energy to grow and thrive than it does to use the extra energy for repair and recovery.
All successful athletes, whether professional or just recreational, have one thing in common. Stretching. They understand how stretching increases their performance capabilities and allows them to function at optimal levels. So if you are at a stage in your wellness where you are trying to re-establish a former level of physical activity, or you are looking to boost your existing abilities to the next level, consider implementing a good stretching regime. You won’t be sorry.
