Stretching

Stretching is about flexibility. Why should your muscles be flexible? Simply think of honey… and your muscles as honey’s texture. Have you ever seen crystallized honey in its glass jar? The precious aromatic spread we all love often becomes a solid mass that you can easily cut with a knife. That is somehow what can happen to your muscles if you don’t stretch them often or neglect stretching altogether. They get stiff, “rusty,” therefore easier to cut.

When your muscles are not flexible, an abrupt, intense movement can tear or cut them at any moment. That will lead to the immobilization of the injured part of the body for days or weeks (or even to surgery). Flexible muscles give you also a sense of well-being and help you complete everyday tasks easier and faster. Never neglect stretching, and take advantage of your spare time every week to dedicate to it more training. More stretching is always welcome and good.

Keep every stretch for at least 30 seconds to have some results. The more time you keep it, the better. Always perform stretching when you are warm. Never stretch your muscles when you are cold. Stretching alone IS NOT a warm-up. It can be part of your warm-up, but only after you have done a few minutes of cardio as a warm-up. If you are one of those who go to the gym, do a few minutes some stretches (skipping warm-up), and “jump” onto their workout, you’d better change path… otherwise, injuries may be waiting for you at the corner. Always start with some cardio followed optionally by stretching. Stretching can be performed in the beginning, during, and at the end of your workout. It is good at any time, but never forget it at the end of each training.

Never overstretch your muscles. Stretching is good, but that does not give you the right to overdo it by trying to lock your legs around your neck!?! Overstretching may lead to injuries, too; thus, you should always stretch each muscle within a range of motion and the angles where you feel comfortable. When you stretch your muscles, the pain should never be as “a pain in the neck,” but as sweet as your favorite cake.

Consider “balance” in stretching. That is, always perform at least one stretch for each muscle group, and never leave any muscles out. All muscle groups should be stretched equally, and none of them should be stretched more than others on a regular basis (unless a doctor or physical therapist has instructed otherwise.) If you have the bad habit of stretching some muscles more and neglecting others, the imbalance you create may also lead to injuries.

Published: November 28th, 2023 | Last Edited: November 28th, 2023 | HEALTH – The Basics | All Posts |