Do you know how good daily physical exercise is for your health? But do you know the importance of stretching? Stretching throughout the day can bring many benefits to your body. This is because it improves joint functions and helps keep all muscles relaxed and more flexible to handle the routine.
Therefore, to have a better quality of life and become a healthier person, it is essential to add stretching, physical activity and adequate nutrition, as only in this way will you offer your body everything it needs, avoiding health problems and illnesses. .
We will present tips on how to stretch well and explain a little more about its benefits in everyday life. Check out!
Why is stretching important?
Stretching is essential for the body, as it improves the functioning of joints and muscles, facilitating movement.
It is very common to lose mobility and flexibility over the years, however, by stretching, you prevent a lack of lubrication in the body, reducing the chances of injuries.
Furthermore, you can increase the feeling of relaxation, improving the quality of breathing and posture, minimizing tension and increasing body awareness.
With this, you can see that stretching is necessary not only before physical exercise, but on a daily basis to allow your entire body to benefit.
The important thing is that anyone, regardless of age, can learn this practice and do it at home, even those who have some type of limitation, always respecting the intensity limit. You don’t have to be an athlete to start stretching. All you need is a few minutes, a little space and willingness.
What are the advantages of stretching for the body?
There are many advantages to adding stretching into your routine. Among the main benefits are those listed below. Follow along!
Increased muscle flexibility
When your muscles receive stimulation they become more flexible. This allows them to function more properly, increasing their performance for basic daily functions such as walking and squatting, even as they age.
They are also very important for those looking to practice some physical activity that requires a little more effort.
Prepares the body for exercise
Stretching allows your body to be more prepared to withstand the tensions that physical activities bring, as it increases the range of movement of the muscles, preventing overload from causing injuries and pain in the lower back and other parts.
Helps with relaxation
Whenever you stretch, you reduce the stress on your body that often causes discomfort in your back, neck, and other areas.
This way, you become more relaxed, relieving tensions that may affect your body and mind, reducing fatigue and overload and helping with meditation itself .
Activates blood circulation
Stretching makes your blood flow more easily through your muscles, helping them recover after exertion.
Improves posture
Stretching your body reduces tension, as mentioned above. However, this allows you not only to minimize back pain and injuries, but also to improve your posture, as it allows for muscle stretching that brings about a firmer and more correct postural reaction. This way, you avoid bad situations that bad posture causes.
How to stretch daily?
There are some techniques that help you practice this natural activity, without much effort or help from a professional. However, there are activities that bring more comfort and safety. Among the most important tips are:
- Neck: Sit in a chair that offers a backrest. Support your back more upright and firm. Now, look straight ahead and place your forearm on top of your head, with your hand touching your ear. After that, move your head towards your shoulder and stay like that for 20 seconds. Do the same thing, but now for the other side;
- spine: still using the chair, keep your torso touching, hold one side of the back with both hands, pulling your back in the same direction. Do this on both sides;
- shoulders and arms: standing, interlace your fingers with your palms facing you. Raise your arms above your head, but now turning your palms towards the ceiling. Stretch as far as you can and count to 20;
- hips and back: sitting again, but now on the edge of the chair, spread your legs and feet apart, keeping them firmly on the floor. Now slowly descend until you bring your hands to the floor, placing your head between your legs;
- legs: using the same chair, sitting on the edge of it, stretch one of your knees and point your foot upwards. Lie down until you place your hand as close to your foot. If you can reach the tip, pull it to stretch your calf. Do the same thing with the other leg.
How important is stretching in Pilates?
Pilates promotes excellent stretching . This is because it is more dynamic and aims to promote movements at their maximum physiological range, becoming natural and quite functional.
Furthermore, it works with flexibility, allowing the entire body to reduce tension, increasing coordination capacity and body awareness. It also improves blood circulation, reducing energy expenditure.
The activity is done in a more active way, always using the strength of the muscles themselves, which are responsible for movement. This way, they relax their muscles, working on breathing and concentration.
These factors directly influence the ability of the body and joints to make them more flexible. All Pilates positions mix movements and respiratory control, thus requiring the body and mind to work together.
Now that you know the importance of stretching, it’s time to put all these tips into practice. Get in touch to schedule your evaluation and trial class.
This way, you will remain more active and have more complete and beneficial health, transforming your body and your way of thinking.