You have likely heard the recommendation that stretching is good for you, but what happens when you stretch on a daily basis? Some think of stretching as something you only do before working out. Others may think the only benefit of stretching daily is improving flexibility. The truth is, regularly stretching can provide an array of long-term benefits that can benefit one’s overall health and well-being! It's why thousands have decided to make stretching part of their daily routine. Let’s dive in and see what are the benefits of a daily stretching routine that you may be surprised by.

What You Need to Know About Stretching

Before we dive into the benefits of stretching, it’s important to understand what stretching is. Stretching is the act of extending or lengthening a muscle or group of muscles to improve their flexibility and range of motion. This is usually done through a series of movements or positions such as pulling one arm across your chest in the opposite direction. You may not know that there are different types of stretching! These include:

• Static stretching: Involves holding the stretch in a static position.
• Dynamic stretching: Involves moving the body through a range of motion.
• Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching: Involves contracting muscles usually through a push and release technique.

Stretching can be done both before and after exercise, as well as its own standalone activity. To experience the full benefits that stretching can provide, stretching on a regular basis is a must! Similar to building muscle, to see improvements in your body, you need to routinely work out. It’s the same with stretching! To see improvements in flexibility and range of motion, you need to routinely stretch.

There isn’t only one reason why someone would need to stretch. Athletes need to stretch to reduce muscle tightness and soreness, but also to improve their flexibility and range of motion. Seniors need to stretch to improve mobility, but also to reduce their risk of injury. People of all ages and lifestyles can benefit from stretching on a daily basis!

The Benefits of Having a Daily Stretching Routine

The benefits of stretching go beyond just improving flexibility. When practiced daily, stretching can provide numerous benefits to one’s overall health and well-being, even leading to long-term benefits. 

When you have a daily stretching routine, you can:

1. Reduce Your Risk of Injury: One of the biggest benefits of stretching is that it reduces your risk of injury. When muscles are tight and inflexible, they are more prone to injury. No matter your age, an injury can be a huge setback. Regularly stretching helps to reduce tightness in muscles, improving the flexibility and range of motion in joints for better movement. This can help reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries.
2. Improve Your Posture: Poor posture can have numerous negative side effects that many don’t expect. It can cause shoulder, neck, and back pain, impaired lung function, and even pinched nerves. Stretching helps to improve your posture by lengthening tight muscles and strengthening weak ones. This allows the body to not only straighten itself, but also have the strength to maintain the upright position.
3. Reduce Your Stress and Anxiety: Stretching has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and calmness. Stretching downregulates the nervous system into its parasympathetic mode, also known as the “rest and digest” state. This allows the body and mind to calm down. Plus, when you stretch, your body also releases endorphins and serotonin, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals.
4. Increase Your Energy: Have you ever noticed you feel a little more awake when you do a quick, deep stretch after sitting down for a long time? Stretching can help increase energy levels by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the muscles. This can help combat fatigue and improve overall energy levels, especially for anyone sitting for hours at a time.
5. Improve Athletic Performance: Stretching can improve athletic performance by improving flexibility, range of motion, and balance. This can help an athlete run faster, jump higher, and throw further. Stretching is also a crucial part of recovery, reducing an athlete’s risk of injury and allowing them to continue working on their performance.

What Happens When You Stretch at StretchLab

To help optimize the benefits of stretching, many seek out an assisted stretch with a professional. Assisted stretching allows the person getting stretched to have a deeper, more concentrated stretch that can be held longer than when done individually. Being able to hold the stretch is essential to elongate the muscles and allow the stretch to work its magic!

At StretchLab, Flexologists work with every member to customize a stretch plan to meet their needs and goals. In addition to stretching someone in the studio, they can recommend stretches to do on a daily basis. StretchLab members also have free access to video on-demand stretch content through Xponential+, giving them even more options to try different daily stretch routines. Combined with their weekly stretch sessions, a StretchLab member is given the opportunity to reap the full benefits of a stretching routine.

Curious about starting a stretching routine? Check out a StretchLab near you!