Stretching can be a difficult thing to fit into our schedules and maybe even more difficult to find the motivation to do it. But if we take a minute to think about the benefits, maybe we can resolve to find some time, even just 10 minutes every day.
Here’s what stretching can do:
It can increase and maintain range of motion
Relieve stiffness and soreness
Improve posture
Reduce fatigue and increase energy
Decrease inflammation and accelerate healing
Reduce emotional stress, and all the while slowing down the aging process.
Starting with just 10 minutes a day can reduce our stiffness anywhere in the body from 9 to 30%. Now imagine what 10 minutes twice a day can do! Short periods regularly are more effective than long periods only a couple times a week. As we begin to add stretching to our day, it’s important to take a deep breath with each stretch and lean into the stretches slowly, gently and gradually.
Feel free to ask us at your next appointment for examples of helpful stretches to add into your every day routine.
Let’s resolve this new year to help our bodies feel better by stretching just 10 minutes everyday!