Stretching: 9 Benefits, Plus Safety Tips and How to Start

Stretching offers a range of benefits, from increased flexibility to improved blood flow. Just be sure to start slowly and listen to your body to avoid injury. Drazen/Getty ImageIs stretching good for yoThere are many benefits to regular stretching. Not only can stretching help increase your flexibility, which is an important factor of fitness, but it can also improve your posture, reduce stress and body aches, and morRead on to learn more about the benefits of stretching,
plus how to start a stretching routin9 Benefits of stretchi1. Increases your flexibiliRegular stretching can help increase your flexibility, which is crucial for your overall health. Not only cimproved flexibility help you to perform everyday activities with relative ease, but it can also help delay the reduced mobility
that can come with aging.2. Increases your range of motiBeing able to move a joint through its full range of motion gives you more freedom of movemenStretching on a regular basis can help increase your range of motioOne studyTrusted Source found that both static and dynamic stretching are effective when it comes to increasing range of motion, although proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)-type stretching, where you stretch a muscle to its limit, may be more
effective for immediate gains3. Improves your performance in physical activitiPerforming dynamic stretches prior to physical activities has been shown to hprepare your musclesTrusted Source for the activity. It may also help improve your performance in an athletic event or exercise4. Increases blood flow to your musclPerforming stretches on a regular basis may improve your circulationTrusted Source. Improved circulation increases blood flow to your muscles, which shorten
your recovery time and reduce muscle soreness (also known as delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS).5. Improves your postMuscle imbalances are common and can lead to poor posture. One studyTrusted Source found that a combination of strengthening and stretching specific muscle can reduce musculoskeletal pain and encourage proper alignment. That, in turn, may help improve your posture.

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