Stretch it Out: The Importance of Stretching

In her next expert panel post, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, Chief Medical Officer for Well & Being, shares with us the importance of stretching plus, we’re sharing some easy stretches you can do every day below!

Stretching is an essential part of everyday life. It helps to reduce mental and physical tension, allows for better circulation, helps to prevent muscular aches and pains, and increases the muscles efficiency, resulting in improved speed, stamina, and exercise form. Tight muscles are a common problem, yet can be exceptionally easy to correct with a little bit of effort.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that stretching activities be done at least two days per week. Stretching benefits all ages, and can be done on your own or with a partner. Self-stretching trains your body to resist against itself. Assisted stretching provides more of a challenge, not only for you but for your partner as well as your muscles work even harder when resisting against someone else. To reach a deeper state of relaxation when stretching, focus on your breath, feeling, positioning, and the depth of the stretch. If you’re with a partner, allow your stretch assistant to have complete control.

Remember, the best part about stretching is that it’s easy! You can do it anywhere, anytime. Once you have a routine in place, you can apply it to your daily schedule.

Feel like trying it with a pro? Experience the “Assisted Stretch” offer by Well & Being, a 30-minute service in which skilled Fitness Experts gently guide you through passive stretching and positioning on a massage table.

Your Wellness Tip To-Go:

Looking for some stretching exercises you can try right now?

• These three stretches are perfect for lower back pain.
• Increase your flexibility with these seven moves.
• Have an exercise ball? Try these 10 full-body stretches with it.
• Start each day with these five energizing stretches.