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5 Reasons to Start Stretching

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Stretching is something that humans and many other animals do instinctively and often times unconsciously; this is nowhere more evident for me then watching my daughter. Whether she is playing on the floor or sitting in her high chair having a snack; she will strike and hold poses that can only be described as baby yoga. It is very beautiful to watch her and also a reminder that stretching is something we all do naturally, to loosen up our bodies. Though when we stretch with purpose and diligence the health benefits can be tremendous.

5 Reasons to Start Stretching:
  1. Increased flexibility
  2. Improved balance and coordination
  3. Improved posture
  4. Healthy joints
  5. Can help prevent injuries during exercise

Nowadays stretching has become synonymous with fitness and exercise; I remember when I was in the United States Navy it was mandatory for us to stretch before and after our group’s physical training. To this day, stretching is my preferred way to shift my body from inactivity to activity. I also will stretch on my “off days” to recover from workout routines. That being said, I believe that consciously stretching should be incorporated throughout all your daily actions, regardless if you are physically training or not.

Let’s Talk About Movement Breaks

In my opinion the human body was built to move; so when we are forced to be in any one position too long, be it standing or sedentary, we can damage our bodies. The reality remains however that many of us need to stand at a cash register or sit at a desk throughout the day; and then it is nice to curl up on the couch with a good book or movie after work. To counteract damages incurred in our daily activities we need to take movement breaks; these are times when we shift the position our body has been in for a while. The simplest way to do this is by performing a few stretches for a couple of minutes multiple times a day.

I challenge you to give movement breaks a try! Comment below and ask me any questions you might have and please do share your experience stretching with us.

Thank you so much for reading and cheers to your health!  

David Smith

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