Benefits of Stretching By: Lisa Ritchie

Stretching has so many benefits but most of us skip it or rush through it! Proper stretching improves your range of motion, helps reduce muscle stiffness and tension, relieves stress, improves posture and coordination, promotes good circulation, improves quality of life, makes you more aware of your body and its alignment, and well, it just plain feels good.

Stretching has so many benefits but most of us skip it or rush through it! Proper stretching improves your range of motion, helps reduce muscle stiffness and tension, relieves stress, improves posture and coordination, promotes good circulation, improves quality of life, makes you more aware of your body and its alignment, and well, it just plain feels good.

The safest time to stretch is after you’ve warmed up your muscles. It couldn’t hurt to do your warm-up first, such as easy walking, then stretch, do your workout, and then stretch again afterward.

Keep in mind there are a few types of stretching:

Ballistic stretching is the bouncing or pulsing method which is generally NOT recommended as it can lead to injury, causing serious tears in the muscle.

A safer method is static stretching. The muscle is elongated to a point that is comfortable yet presents a slight challenge. The stretch is held for at least 20 seconds.

Another type of stretching is called PNF, which stands for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. Many of these require a partner. You contract the muscle as tightly as possible, then completely relax it, gaining a deeper stretch.

Remember to always breathe deeply whenever you stretch. Stretching three to four times a week for at least 10 minutes will maintain or improve how flexible you are. Stay healthy and stay loose!