Whether it's been a hard day at the keyboard, a long drive or a marathon gardening session, gentle stretching can help you to stay active.
Flexibility
Keeping your joints and tissues healthy is crucial for everyone, whether you're a serious athlete or someone with a more relaxed exercise routine. When the tissues around a joint become stiff, it can lead to muscle fatigue and tightness, increasing the risk of injury. Regular stretching can help maintain flexibility, ensuring your muscles and joints stay in good shape.
Mobility
Stretching is great for expanding your range of motion, making everyday movements like walking, bending, and twisting easier and more comfortable. Whether you're reaching for something on a high shelf or bending down to tie your shoes, good mobility can make a big difference in how you move through your day. Making stretching part of your routine keeps you moving smoothly and reduces the risk of strains and sprains.
Posture
If you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, you might notice your posture getting a bit slouched. This can lead to tightness and stress in your muscles and joints, especially in your back and neck. Over time, this can cause discomfort or even pain. Regular stretching can help counteract these effects by loosening tight muscles and improving your posture, making it easier to sit for longer and stand up straight.
Stress
Feeling stressed often comes with tense muscles, especially in areas like your neck, shoulders, and upper back. This tension can add to your overall stress and discomfort. Stretching is a great way to relieve this muscle tightness, helping you to relax both physically and mentally. It's a simple and effective way to manage stress and keep your body feeling good - so, take a few minutes to stretch and feel the stress melt away!
Simple stretching exercises
Knees-to-chest
Lying flat on your back, bring one knee to your chest and hold it in position with your arms or hands. You should feel a nice stretch in your lower back. Repeat with the other knee. If it feels comfortable, you can also do this stretch by bending both knees at the same time.
Upper back stretch
Sit on the edge a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Interlock your fingers and reach forward, bending from your middle back. Stretch with your hands forward at shoulder level. You should feel the stretch between your shoulder blades.
Neck stretch
Relax your shoulders and gently move your left ear towards your left shoulder. Repeat with your right. Only stretch as far as feels comfortable.
Shoulder stretch
Relaxing your shoulder blades back and down, reach one arm across your body and gently use your other arm to deepen the stretch. Hold for 15-20 seconds and repeat on the other side.
Calf stretch
Place your hands on a wall for support, step back on one leg and gently push your heel towards the ground, feeling a nice stretch along the back of your calf. Hold for 10-15 seconds and repeat on your opposite leg.
Quick exercises for a busy day
