Are you stretching enough? If you’re into yoga or always limber up before your daily exercise, you’re probably already aware of the power of a good stretch.
However, there are also many of us who probably don’t stretch out our bodies regularly enough. Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference to our overall wellbeing.
There’s a reason that practices like yoga and tai chi have endured for centuries. Stretching your body has been proven to have significant benefits for both our physical and mental health. A good stretch can help:
- Improve blood flow throughout the body
- Keep joints mobile and your body flexible
- Improve your posture
- Relieve aches and pains
- Prevent muscles becoming shorter and tighter
- Improve your balance and help prevent falls in older people
- Boost your mood and relieve stress
It’s also relatively easy to fit into your day. You can dedicate a block of time to it, maybe first thing in the morning or just before bed. Or you can squeeze in a quick stretch when you get the chance between meetings, household chores and whatever else fills up your day. If you have kids, a stretching session can be a fun activity to do together (and has the added bonus of helping them stay calmer and more focused).
Another plus is that its a gentle, low impact activity that can be adapted to suit people of all abilities. If you live with a health condition that makes vigorous exercise challenging, stretching can be an effective way to help maintain or improve mobility – just start slowly, keep it simple and don’t overdo it. It’s all about finding a level that suits you and getting the right advice to make sure you’re doing it safely. If you’re not sure whether it’s safe for you or want to make sure you’re doing things properly, it’s best to consult your doctor first or do it under the guidance of a professional.
If you live in West Wales and want to try yoga or learn about how to stretch safely from qualified instructors, St Davids Yoga, Leanne Bird Wellbeing and Adventure and Wholegevity might be a good place to start. Or you can just do your own thing. Whatever you do, let us know what benefits stretching has had for your wellbeing on the Ways to live well in West Wales Facebook page!
