Do you know how much daily physical exercises are good for health? But do you know the importance of stretching?
Therefore, in order to have a better quality of life and become a healthier person, it is essential to add stretching, physical activities and a proper diet, because only then will you offer your body everything it needs, avoiding health problems and diseases. .
We will present tips on how to do a good stretch and explain a little more about its benefits in everyday life. Check out!
Why is stretching important?
Stretches are essential for the body, as they improve the functioning of joints and muscles, facilitating movement.
It is very common to lose mobility and flexibility over the years, however, by stretching, you avoid the lack of lubrication in the body, reducing the chances of injuries.
In addition, you can increase the feeling of relaxation, improving the quality of breathing and posture, minimizing tensions and increasing body awareness.
With this, it is possible to realize that stretching is necessary not only before physical exercises, but in everyday life to allow your whole 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 kind 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 benefits of stretching for the body?
There are many benefits to adding stretching to your routine. Among the main benefits are those listed below. Follow up!
Increased muscle flexibility
When your muscles receive stimulation they become more flexible. This allows them to function more properly, increasing their performance for basic everyday functions like 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.
Prepare the body for exercise
Stretching allows your body to be more prepared to withstand the stresses 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 elsewhere.
Helps in relaxation
Whenever you stretch, you reduce body stress that often causes discomfort in your back, neck, and elsewhere.
In this way, you are more relaxed, relieving tensions that can 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 to recover after exertion.
improves posture
Stretching the body makes you reduce tensions, as mentioned above. However, this allows not only to minimize back pain and injuries, but also to improve your posture, as it allows a muscle stretch that brings a firmer and more correct postural reaction. That way, you avoid bad situations that bad posture causes.
How to do daily stretching?
There are some techniques that help to 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 firmly. Now, look straight ahead and place your forearm over your head, with your hand touching your ear. After that, move your head towards your shoulder and stay there for 20 seconds. Do the same thing, but now to the other side;
- spine: still using the chair, keep your torso leaning, 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 much as you can and count to 20;
- hips and back: seated again, but now on the edge of the chair, spread your legs and feet, keeping them firmly on the floor. Now go down slowly 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, straighten one of your knees and point your foot up. Lie down until your hand is closest to your foot. If you can reach the end, pull it to stretch your calf. Do the same thing with the other leg.
What is the importance of stretching in Pilates?
Pilates promotes excellent stretching. This is because it is more dynamic and aims to promote movements in their maximum physiological range, becoming natural and quite functional.
In addition, it works with flexibility, allowing the whole body to reduce tensions, increasing the capacity for coordination and body awareness. It also improves blood circulation, reducing energy expenditure.
The activity is done more actively, always using the strength of the muscles themselves, which are responsible for movement. Thus, they relax the muscles, working breathing and concentration.
All Pilates positions blend movement and breath 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.
Thus, you will remain more active and have a more complete and beneficial health, transforming your body and your way of thinking.