By Kathryn Merrow, The Pain Relief Coach
Oh, it just seems like so much work to stretch, doesn’t it? Trying to fit one more thing into your already too-busy day? What a hassle. Who needs it?
Well, it’s just my opinion, but I would say…YOU!
YOU are the one who needs to stretch. You, and me, and everyone—we all need to stretch.
Have you ever watched a dog or cat waking up? What is the very first thing that animal does, just as soon as it wakes up? Every animal, every time…stretches. Dogs and cats need to stretch and do it automatically.
And babies? What is the very first thing they do as soon as they wake up? And, multiple times throughout the day? Of course! They stretch. Babies need to stretch and they do it without even thinking about it.
And, you? If I was a betting woman, I’d be betting that as soon as you wake up, or pretty quickly, you hop out of bed and get going. What do you do before you fall asleep? Who’s got TIME to stretch, says you. Who NEEDS to stretch, says me.
WHAT WILL STRETCHING DO FOR ME?
1. If you stretch the muscles that need to be stretched, they will help your body stay “in balance.”
2. Stretching improves the flow of lymph and blood throughout your body. It MOVES things.
3. It will improve your posture. Your organs will function better when your posture is better.
4. It FEELS good. Moving feels good; stretches feel good. Bodies LIKE to stretch.
5. You will feel younger and have less pain.
6. Your range-of-motion will improve.
7. Your muscles will WAKE UP!
There are many types of stretching programs. Some of them also incorporate strengthening at the same time, like yoga. With yoga you get long and strong. The “long” is from stretching.. Some programs advocate extended stretches, for 12 or 30 seconds.
Other stretching programs advise brief stretches—not bounces—but 2-second stretches. These brief stretches allow your muscles to stretch without kicking in the “stretch reflex.” The stretch reflex says: Whoa! Getting overstretched here; better tighten up!
Just stretching on your own is valuable. Knowing exactly WHICH muscles to stretch takes a little bit of thought. Should you stretch your whole body or just your back? Are your hamstrings (the muscles in the back of your thighs) tight? Should you stretch them?
WHY DO I NEED TO STRETCH?
Most of us spend most of our lives with our heads and hands in front of us. Lots of us spend a lot of time in a seated position at home or work. Often we stop doing a lot of the things that we did naturally and easily when we were children. And, then we blame our lack of ability to move on “old age.”
Is it old age? Or, are you getting old ahead of your time because your muscles need to be stretched?
Maybe you’re kind of getting stuck in a “forward position.” Just maybe, stretching would give you all those benefits you read about earlier in this article.
WHICH MUSCLES SHOULD I STRETCH?
The muscles that most often need to be stretched are the muscles in the FRONT of your body. The front of your arms, your chest, your abdomen and the front of your thighs get shortened from sitting and gravity. When you stretch the front of your body, you create more balance in your muscles.
If you stretch the muscles on the backside of your body, and neglect those in front, you are not meeting the needs of your body. As a rule, the muscles on your backside (except for your calves) need to be strong, so they can hold you upright.
You’ll find Kathryn Merrow, The Pain Relief Coach, at http://www.SimpleStrengthening.com and http://www.CarpalTunnelPainRelief.com “Because You Deserve to Feel Better!”
Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!
Take our free Less Stress; More Time mini-course!
