The Benefits of Stretching and Why It Feels Good

Without realizing it, many of us start our day by stretching before we even get out of beInvoluntary stretching of your muscles is called pandiculationTrusted Source. It’s a behavior seen in most types of animals to relieve muscle tensioFew activities feel better after a period of inactivity than stretching. Stretching reduces your risk of getting injured, can induce a feeling of calmness, and is even thought to improve your circulation.

In this article, we’ll help explain why stretching feels good, explore the benefits, and provide examples of simple stretches you can do on a regular basisWhy does stretching feel goHumans have a natural tendency to avoid things that cause pain and to seek activities that feel good. Stretching is no exception. Your body’s natural reward system makes stretching feel good to motivate you to keep your muscles at optimal tensioHere’s a closer look at the reasons why stretching feels good.

Improved circulatWhen you stretch a muscle, your body responds by increasing blood flowTrusted Source to that area. The blood vessels around the targeted muscle widen to allow more blood to flow through, and your heart starts pumping more blooThis increase in blood flow allows the muscle or muscles you’re stretching to receive more oxygen and to get rid of metabolic waste productParasympathetic activatiResearch has shown that static stretching activates your parasympathetic nervous system and inhibits activation of your sympathetic nervous system.

Your parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for your rest and digestion functions. It can also help induce feelings of calmness and relaxatioEndorphin releaEndorphins are chemicals produced by your central nervous system and pituitary gland that function as neurotransmitters. They have greater pain-relieving effects than morphineTrusted Source and cause a feeling of euphoria when they bind with receptors in your brain.

Endorphins are part of your body’s natural reward systemTrusted Source and are released after activities like exercise, sex, eating, and drinkingThere’s little research on the effects of stretching on endorphin release. However, according to a 2015 perspective, stretching may help reduce menstruation pain. It’s thought that its pain-relieving effects are due to the relaxation of blood vessels, the release of beta-endorphins, and the suppression of prostaglandins.