Consider making stretching an integral part of your daily routine.

Why is stretching important? Not only is it an excellent way to open the body and improve circulation, but stretching also benefits the way we move through life on a physical and even mental level.

Stretching has long been recommended for injury prevention and athletic performance, but stretching shouldn’t be reserved for athletes alone. Let’s look at a few reasons why stretching is essential for anyone trying to improve their quality of life. 

Why is stretching important? 

It makes you happier.

I first began yoga for the meditative aspect of the practice. The stretching and limbering enticed me, yes, but I primarily wanted to strengthen my mind. After attending numerous yoga practices, however, I noticed that my increased stability and flexibility made me feel more mentally stable. 

This prompted me to search and read about how a flexible body can indeed support and stabilize the mind. One study looks at depression in menopausal women and found stretching to be an effective remedy for improving happiness. According to the study, stretching strengthens the nervous system which increases mood and vitality.

More able-bodiedness is a perfect reason to begin stretching. When you’re able to do more with your body, you’re bound to experience higher levels of joy. Consider the last time you picked up an object without pulling a muscle. Were you satisfied with that capability and mobility? How would you have felt if you woke up the next morning stiff and sore because you had strained something? Maintaining your flexibility will allow you to do more. You’ll likely feel more satisfied with life!

Why is stretching important? 

It promotes longevity and treats certain diseases.

It’s often the elderly who end up asking: “why is stretching important?” 

As we get older, the muscular, skeletal, and even arterial systems tend to decline in strength and elasticity. But they don’t have to. A study conducted by multiple universities across the United States and Japan examines the effects of calf stretching on elderly patients with peripheral artery disease, an ailment that causes the arteries in the legs and arms to narrow. The study determined that just four weeks of stretching was highly beneficial and healing for the patients. 

In peripheral artery disease, mobility is hindered due to a lack of blood supply to the skeletal muscles. Stretching removes blockages and maintains healthy blood flow to the muscles. The study proves that simple daily stretching can improve symptoms, rendering the elderly more able-bodied. This research is an important milestone for elderly who want to maintain mobility and flexibility. 

Stretching can also help treat fibromyalgia (FM) by lessening tightness and sensitivity throughout the body. Patients with fibromyalgia often suffer from an achy body, anxiety, and depression. Not only does stretching improve the physical symptoms of FM, but the mental as well, especially if the stretching is done in a calming setting, like that of yoga. 

Why is stretching important? 

It reduces stress.

Let’s have another look at yoga. Yogic stretching, often referred to as “yin” yoga, has proven beneficial for the treatment of psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. In yin yoga, the practitioner is placed in slightly “stressful” stretching postures while a level of comfort is simultaneously maintained. With consistency, the practice aids the practitioner in adapting to stressful life situations. This is great news for those pondering the question “why is stretching important?”.

The ability to adapt to stressful situations is an important tool in a modern world full of unique stressors unknown by our ancestors. Stretching is an amazing way to obtain and maintain that mental stamina. A recent study even found mindful stretching to be profoundly effective for those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an ailment caused by exposure to traumatic events. Symptoms are characterized by powerful “flashbacks” and reminiscing about the events that caused the ailment. The study shows a normalization of cortisol levels in the test subjects who had PTSD.  Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone. It works with certain parts of your brain to control your mood, motivation, and fear.

The fact that stretching can be utilized as a remedy for PTSD says a lot. Often, the simplest remedies are the most effective. If you suffer from stress and spend a lot of money on supplements for holistic healing, try a daily dose of stretching and mindfulness instead. Incorporating it as a consistent lifestyle choice will have a profound impact on the way you feel and think.

Begin stretching to improve physical strength and confidence

Overall, stretching builds confidence in the way we move. Through stretching, we become more limber and able to effectively lift things. Stretching also builds diversity in the ways we can move while allowing us to safely exercise. Muscle tightness shouldn’t be a limiting factor in life when something as simple as stretching exists! 

So now that we’ve answered the question “Why is stretching important?”, let’s have a look at how to get started. 

How to begin stretching

• Take it slow. Get out of bed and walk around first to warm yourself. Showering will also help warm the body for effective stretching. When you begin, be gentle and don’t push too far into stretches too quickly.
• Don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking you have to stretch every muscle. Focus on your lower extremities including the calfs, hamstrings, quads, hips, etc.

• Effective stretching entails consistency and maintaining a thorough routine. This will ensure maximum benefits and will transform your flexibility.

• A good way to begin stretching is by adding it to your morning routine. A good stretch-out only needs to be 10 minutes and is a relaxing way to begin the morning.

• During your stretching session, begin at the feet and ankles, then move up while stretching every part of the body along the way— but remember to focus most of your energy on the lower areas of your body. These parts of the body are important because they’re what you use to walk, run, and more.

People like you who want to feel physically and mentally well often ask “Why is stretching important?” The answer is that consistent stretching will improve your quality of life.

Stretching is a powerful practice that can make you happier, treat disease, and even improve your confidence and how you carry yourself. Stretching is a simple practice that doesn’t need to take too much time out of your day. A simple morning practice is enough for you to reap the benefits of stretching. Just make sure to maintain consistency for optimal results!

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