◆ Benefits of systematically stretching your muscles and ligaments.

Human bodies are meant to move. They are intended to push limits and remain active. Among other components, muscles and ligaments make movement possible. Inconsistent use of muscles and ligaments can create stiffness, reduce flexibility and leave us with poor posture. Overuse of the muscles and ligaments in our bodies can lead to injury. Systematic stretching of muscles and ligaments on a regular basis can support healthy movement and sustain longevity.

A quick stretching routine used daily can lend significant benefits to your health. The following are eight benefits to regular, consistent stretching.

• Relieve Stress
Stress increases the human heart rate and tends to cause tightening of muscles. “Stretching helps relax tight muscles. Slow, intentional movement facilitates purposeful breathing. You can effectively tune into your body and to your surroundings. This helps the body and mind to decompress, slowing your breathing and your heart rate. Stress is reduced by this process.

• Increase Flexibility
By stretching daily, athletes, dancers and Yoga fans establish and maintain flexibility. Stretching daily, or at least a few times each week, helps to keep the muscles supple, strong and healthy, which helps us maintain our range of motion in our joints. As our muscles are asked to perform, they respond in a healthy way, allowing us to accomplish the physical activity that we desire rather than remaining tight and short.

• Improve Posture
The value of correct posture is often overlooked, particularly in our society of relaxation. Posture influences the health of our nerves, blood flow and muscle strength. Sitting at a desk all day at work or hanging our heads over a personal electronic device can take a toll on the alignment of our body as a whole. Stretching muscles in the front of the body while strengthening the muscles along the back more effectively holds the spine in a healthy, upright position, helping us maintain healthy and even optimal posture. It’s important to stretch frequently is you sit at a desk for many hours a day. Stretching strengthens and lengthens the chest and back muscles that are required for healthy posture.

• Alleviate back pain
Stretching often alleviates muscle pain because it redistributes and relieves tension, and stimulates blood flow to tender muscles. Gentle, sustained mobility of tight muscles lengthens the spine, bringing relief and blood flow to the mid and upper back. Often, back pain is a result of needing to compensate for weakened muscles in other parts of the body. Stretching can help loosen and strengthen all the torso muscles.

• Quality Sleep
Quality sleep is critical for for physical, mental and emotional well-being. Appropriate and healthy amounts of sleep energized use and increase our focus. For some of us, sleep is elusive. Making stretching part of your bedtime routine might help you feel more relaxed, help you wind down from the rigors of the day, and realign your body in preparation for thorough rest. As you purposefully stretch, your mind and breathing align with your relaxing muscles, and your can find greater ease as you wrap up your day.

• Prevent Injury
Injury can often mean weeks or months of rehabilitation or bring a halt to your fitness and athletics plans. Stretching helps prevent injuries by increasing circulation and oxygen supply to your muscles and joints, which allows for increased nutrition and cleansing to each cell. Stretching prevents injury becuase each cell is healthier and more easily responds to the demands we place on them. Consistent stretching also aids in faster recovery from aches and pains that we inevitably experience when we move our bodies rigorously as in exercise.

• Prepare the body for exercise
Stretching is a great way to prepare your joints and muscles for the demands of exercise. It’s a critical part of your exercise routine if you are planning to push your body in any way. Intense exercise demands increased circulation and oxygen in the cells and stretching open up the pathway and prepares the body for increased blood and oxygen presence. Stretching increases the ability of each joint to maximize each muscles ability to produce more force, and therefore, more performance. Many exercises like running or cycling mean using the same muscles repetitively . This can cause tightness and tension. Static stretching after a workout can help to restore balance to the muscles.

• Clarify your mind
Stretching can aid us in digesting and decompressing from the day. It can calm and relax the body and mind. The parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for rest and digestive functions, induces feelings of calmness and relaxation.