Taking care of your body tends to be something that we only do when we notice something is wrong. You eat better when you aren’t feeling well, and you exercise more when you notice your favorite jeans no longer fit. But one of the most important parts of maintaining your health is what you do consistently each day. Choosing the stairs over the elevator, and fruit instead of cake. The little things add up.
That’s why such a simple thing as daily stretching can have a huge impact on your overall health. Tightness in muscles and ligaments can create weaknesses or imbalances that can predispose you to injury. Even if you aren’t regularly working out, you likely spend hours every day in one position, either at a desk, in a car, or otherwise seated. Over time aches and pains from sitting at a desk can accumulate, and become more difficult to deal with.
Thankfully, stretching is easy to do for people of all abilities. Whatever your level of flexibility, stretching can improve your mood and loosen tight muscles. For a great place to start with stretching, check out this great animated visual by Sleep Advisor.
