5 Reasons Why You Should Stretch Daily

Stretching for about 10-15 minutes daily has several health benefits. Most people know that stretching before physical activity is important, but stretching everyday regardless of physical activity is also important. Here are five benefits to stretching daily.

1)    Stretching can decrease muscle soreness

If you have soreness or muscle strain, stretching can help relieve some of this discomfort. Many times when we are injured, the muscles around the injury site tighten up as a protective response. By stretching these tight muscles out, pain and soreness can be alleviated.

2)    Stretching prevents injury

Stretching increases the range of motion in which a muscle can move. By increasing range of motion we are less susceptible to straining or tearing our muscle fibres, which in turn reduces the risk of injury.

3)    Stretching improves posture

Tight muscles cause poor posture. Many of us have tight muscles from sitting at a computer all day or looking at a phone or tablet. The position that is typical with these activities (rounded shoulders and forward head) is a position of poor posture so it is important to stretch

4)    Stretching can help reduce or manage stress

Muscles that are tight hold tension. Stretching releases some of that tension from your muscles and, therefore, can help you feel less stressed.

 5) It Feels Good

Stretching shouldn’t be painful. It can have a slight nagging feeling which mimics discomfort but if you are injured, stretching in not the solution. Stretching should feel like you are quenching your thirst - it’s a good feeling.