Stretch Out- 5 Benefits of Flexibility

Improve your health by being flexible.

Finding the time to workout every day and having the energy to do it can sometimes slip from your hands. But even if you don’t have time for a workout, you can reduce stress and improve your health while burning calories just by doing just 10-15 minutes of stretching a few times a day. Not only does stretching improve blood flow and flexibility, it also provides a variety of other health benefits. Read on to find out just 5 of the many benefits of getting flexible.

Decreased Risk of Injury

An effective flexibility training program can improve your physical performance and help reduce your risk of injury. By improving your range of motion, your body requires less energy to make the same movements and you also will have more flexible joints thus lessening the likelihood of injuries sustained during workouts, or any other time.

Improved Posture

Recent research has shown that static stretching can reduce muscle soreness after exercise. These slow, gradual movements involve a controlled elongation of the muscle through it’s full range of motion, and is then held for 15-30 seconds in the farthest position that can be held without pain. By stretching in this way, you can improve muscular balance and your resting posture.

Reduce Lower Back Pain

One of the most notable benefits of stretching is that it promotes muscular relaxation and because of this, can lessen lower back pain. Since those muscles are commonly contracted throughout the day, whether sitting or doing activities, they can become stressed and cause pain. Becoming more flexible in the hamstrings, hip flexors, quadriceps and other muscles can help reduce that stress on the lower back and reduce the tightening that causes pain.

Increased Blood Flow and Nutrients to Soft Tissues

Stretching increases the blood supply to muscle tissues, and your entire body delivering essential nutrients through your blood stream. It also increases joint synovial fluid, the lubricating fluid that promotes the transportation of nutrients to your joints. This allows for a greater range of motion, less joint pain and a reduced risk of joint degeneration.

Better Overall Health and Vitality

By doing some kind of flexibility training, you will notice less pain, improved movement, reduced muscle soreness, and improved physical performance. Stretching exercise practices like Yoga also help relax muscles, and your mind so you stress less. The feeling of well-being, and vitality you will notice as a result of a regular flexibility routine can provide many important health benefits.

Stretching is not just a part of a workout, it can be a workout by itself. Watch this short video for an introduction to basic yoga stretches:

Remember to never push your body beyond its limits. Any stretch that hurts, means you’re pushing too far. Check out these great SkinnyMs Yoga Workouts to get started on your flexibility routine today!

Do you have a favorite stretching routine? Share it with us by leaving a comment below.

 

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SkinnyMs.

The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

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