You don't have to bother listening to me, your family, friends, experts, or even a trusted physician. Just listen to a lifetime buddy.
For example, in addition to my regular schedule, I am now stretching as well as laying flat on the floor. My spinal cord feels much better than ever before.
- I lay on my back with my feet straight and then flat on the floor. I cross my left foot over my right quad.
- I lift my right leg off the floor. Grab onto the back of my right leg and gently pull it toward my chest.
- When I feel a comfortable stretch, I hold it there. Hold it for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Switch sides and repeat.
- I put my arms around my waist and if I get fresh, I slap my face.(ONLY KIDDING)
If you also feel like the Tin Man, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=louBM-Mix7s when it hurts just to move. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZMDHJT8Tcg Does your foot falls asleep way too often, take these as signs that your body needs some love—in the form of some targeted stretching, perhaps. By the way, did you know there were three tin men? https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sy3CHpPo7GE
These are the benefits of stretching. Improving flexibility, prepping your body for a workout or cooling down after one, helping address muscle imbalances, reducing stiffness, and helping the body and mind relax. So when I make the time to stretch, my daily routine feels smoother, my body feels less lethargic, and I feel like I want to be more active.
At the end of the day, it is always good to remember that keeping our bodies mobile and flexible is a good thing.
Give yourself some grace with these stretching tips. Taking care of our bodies should be a priority, but sometimes there are so many priorities that they all kind of bury each other. I get it; we all get it. It is difficult having a moment to ourselves these days, but hopefully, if we can find some time to do one or two stretches that make us feel good, we can use that to help get ourselves to include it in our day somewhere. Sure, there might be some stretches that don’t feel great because you’re tight. Start with the ones that help you relax, that does make you feel better, and you just might find yourself a new habit.
Remember, stretching boosts flexibility, it improves short-term and long-term range of motion. That’s important since a better range of motion can mean better muscle recruitment during your workouts, as SELF reported previously. For example, a more excellent range of motion in our hips and knees will allow us to sink deeper into a squat.
Taking time for ourselves is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s essential to prioritize self-care, even when life gets busy.
Self-care is about nurturing our physical, emotional, and mental well-being, which ultimately contributes to our overall happiness.
Make it a habit to set aside time each day to do something that brings us joy and relaxation.
It could be exercise, reading a book, taking a long bath, meditating, or even going for a walk. The key is to find activities that help you recharge and feel good about yourself.
Remember that we deserve to take care of ourselves. Prioritizing self-care is not selfish; it’s an act of self-love that will help us become a happier and healthier version of our former selves.