Stretching made Easy and Enjoyable

We’ve heard it again and again: stretch before doing sports or before you go jogging. Ever since first year gym class, we have been taught that stretching before doing physically demanding work is key if we want to prevent getting serious injured. Never mind that all the top athletes do it – there is just not enough motivated for us to do it on a daily basis.

So why should we stretch? Stretching can, in fact, be advantageous in a number of ways. The first, and most obvious reason we should stretch is the old (yet valid) argument that we have been spoon-fed for so long – that stretching minimizes injury during any physical activity, and makes the tired muscles less painful the next day. But why is this? As we stretch, we send oxygenated blood to circulate through our body and brain, which helps rid our body of unwanted toxins and it enhances both our physical and mental performance. Our joints, tendons, and muscles tend to lose their elasticity with old age, so the more we stretch when we are young, the more fit and flexible you’ll be in the future.

Stretching is also good for relieving stress. Whenever you are pressured by physical or emotional stress, your muscles store unnecessary tensions, and by doing a few simple stretches you can disperse these tensions. For osteopaths, however, the most important reason for going stretches is to keep your back in shape. The back can only move in six directions, and therefore becomes stiff very quickly. And as the back is the foundation of our musculoskeletal system, making sure it stays healthy and flexible is of utmost importance.

It is best to stretch at least three times a week, preferably in the mornings after a hot shower has warmed up your muscles, or at the end of the day, when your muscles have been warmed naturally.

Despite what professionals say, it is not easy to maintain a stretching routine – for the simple reason that they are tedious. It is easy to set up a stretch routine, but following it is a different story. The best way to make yourself stick to a routine is by making the exercises fun. Instead of doing your stretches by yourself, for example, do them with a friend or relative – mundane things are much more interesting with company around. Or if there is a news or television program you watch regularly, do you stretches in front of the telly. This way, you get your stretches done and no one can call you a couch-potato.

You might have heard of the recent controversy – some experts are now arguing that static stretching (stretching while standing still) actually makes muscles weaker. As there is no concrete evidence to suggest that this is true, the best solution is to find the right balance. Do not hold stretch positions for too long, and try to incorporate as much movement into each stretch (i.e. swinging your arms or legs instead of holding them still). Also try to avoid having long stretch sessions – it is better to do shorter slots throughout the day.

We are often being bombarded with new tips and approaches of how to do things, but it is important to keep in mind that you should only do what works for you. If a stretch is not working for you, do something else! Regardless of whether you are a fitness guru or not, making sure you stretch regularly is vital for preventing problems in the future

Tags: stretching