By Jasmin Waldmann
Stretching can enhance your physical performance as far as the range of motion goes. Regular stretching will relax all your muscles. The more flexible you are, the bigger will be the range of motion, making the exercise more effective.
When you experience mental stress, stress hormones are produced automatically. This enables us to have a fight or flight response in stressful situations. Today, while facing the day-to-day stresses of life, we don’t fight or run away anymore. The stress hormones, then, are stored in the body until they get released. A buildup of stress causes your muscles to contract, making you feel tense and uneasy. This tension can lead to having a negative impact on your mind as well as your body. So how do you go about releasing these hormones? You could do that through physical activities like fitness training, dancing, boxing, jogging, etc, all of which involve stretching as the initial preparation.
Stretching has powerful stress-busting abilities. It loosens tight muscles, which helps them to relax, thereby increasing the blood flow. Not only will this help reduce post-workout soreness and shorten recovery time, but it will also improve your overall health. Greater blood circulation helps promote cell growth and organ function. It also encourages the release of endorphins, providing a sense of tranquility and enthusiasm. So, the result is improved flexibility, a better mood through the release of stored tension in the body, and an improved overall health.
But what will happen if you don’t attempt to release your stress? The fact is, if you ignore or suppress stress for too long, it would result in chronic pain wherever your body holds it. Some of the most affected areas are neck and back, which go stiff, giving rise to chronic pain. Stress can also go on to affect your knees and shoulder joints.
However, after a workout (or in a warm up) stretching can prove to be very beneficial. Stretching the muscles loosens them, which relieves muscle fatigue and increases blood flow. This can improve your overall posture by relieving aches and pains. It also lowers the body temperature again and signals the brain and entire system that the ‘stress-phase’ is over. This makes you feel better in both mind and body.
The most effective way to stretch is ‘Partner-stretching’. Dynamic stretching as well as static stretching are both good. But remember to take it slow while stretching. If you go too quickly into the stretching of muscles, they react adversely; they tense, giving rise to injuries. An effective flexibility-training program can improve your physical performance and help reduce your risk of injury. You also have a more flexible body and improve your energy levels, which will benefit you perform your daily activities smoothly and efficiently.
Jasmin Waldmann is an international Mind & Body Transformation Expert. She is the author of the book ‘Change Me’. Visit www.
jasminwaldmann.com to know more. Book available on amazon.