Tip #25: Stretch Your Body

• Stretching has so many overall benefits for our body and health. This is why it is so important to establish your own daily stretching routine. Some of the many benefits of stretching include: 

• When paired with mindful breathing exercises stretching can help decrease stress and anxiety.

• It helps to promote better blood flow and oxygen flow throughout the body as well as decreasing blood pressure.

• Reduces joint pain, muscle pain, and overall stiffness in the body, as well as improves overall muscle function.

• Stretching has even been shown to help improve quality of sleep.

• All of these benefits adds up to an improvement in our overall quality of life.

• Some great stretches that you might want to add to your routine:

• Downward Facing Dog

• Child’s Pose

• Seated Forward Bend

• Triangle Pose

• Pigeon Pose

• Lying Figure Four Stretch

• A great way to ensure you are stretching properly is to go to a yoga class or check out some of the online yoga classes you can find through a variety of apps out there. 

• One of my favorite ways to enjoy an online yoga class is through the Peloton app. Aditi Shah is my favorite instructor!

• One of my favorite books about stretching is called: Stretching to Stay Young by Dr. Jessica Matthews