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Think of what you do after sitting at your desk for a long time. Once your work day is done, you might want to triumphantly raise your arms and give them a good stretch because it feels good and is an excellent way to end the day. But why does stretching feel good? The answer is biological: it relieves stress, and less stress helps you feel better.
Stretching is similar to power posing in that it can trick your brain into feeling a certain way. Power posing can help you feel more confident before an important meeting, and stretching can have similar power. Perhaps the answer to the question “Why does stretching feel good?” is because it’s a natural form of stress relief.
Stretching relieves the tension in your muscles, which can help you physically and mentally relax. You often stretch after you’ve finished or accomplished something, so your brain may even associate stretching with a job well done. Just remember to stretch frequently, especially if you live an otherwise-sedentary lifestyle.
Stretching, when done over time, can improve your flexibility and decrease your risk of injuring yourself. This simple activity can increase your blood flow and eliminate metabolic waste, but you may also see an improvement in your mood as it can help with symptoms of depression, too.
Why does stretching feel good? It helps your body relax and relieves tension in your muscles. Stretching can help you prepare for physical activity, and it can wake you up mentally. You should try these stretches every day, as they can benefit your life in more ways than one.
When you wake up in the morning, you should aim to complete a full-body stretch. Stretching your entire body can help you feel more alert and awake, which can make the start of your day so much easier. Start by rolling your neck, then move down your body to your shoulders, arms, hips and legs. By moving joints that you don’t use regularly, you can reduce your risk of injury or even decrease some of the pain you might feel from arthritis.
The supine twist is a yoga pose you can do from the comfort of your bedroom, which means it’s easy to perform. This stretch can help you relax to sleep with the gentle rocking movements of your knees as you lie flat on your back. Why does stretching feel good? In the case of this yoga pose, it helps you relax enough to go to sleep when you’ve been having issues.
This versatile yoga stretch is great for everything from winding down for the night to becoming energized in the morning. This stretch unlocks your spine and acts as a massage that will get you through your daily activities. This pose is easy to understand, as it only involves arching your spine and relaxing.
So, why does stretching feel good? You might find more answers than you think once you start stretching regularly. Stretches ease the tension in your muscles and help them grow stronger and less prone to injury. Release of tension can help relieve stress, which benefits your brain as much as it does your body. So, take a little extra time to stretch during your day, in the morning and before you go to bed. Your body and mind might just thank you for it.
