9 benefits of stretching in the morning
A few decades ago, I had frequent back pain and visited my chiropractor often. That was before I discovered stretching.
There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with my back – my problem was I sat at a desk all day, then was very physically active evenings and weekends without stretching properly before and after walking, running, hiking, cycling, etc.
During one visit, my chiropractor handed me a sheet depicting a morning stretching routine and told me to do it every day. The bad news is that I’ve lost the sheet and can’t share it with you.
The good news is I personally don’t need it any more because I know it by heart.
That’s because I’ve done this stretching routine every morning for 30 years.
That’s right – every morning for thirty years. And you know what? The back pain is long gone.
Since I no longer have the sheet my chiropractor gave me so many years ago, I’m going to give you a list of links to morning stretching routines that look good to me.
Check with your doctor or chiropractor, first, then find a routine that appeals to you.
Hopefully in thirty years you can say you’ve done it every day and your body is pain free!
And you will not have aged as much as those who do not stretch each day!
“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.”
Benefits of stretching
According to stretching master Bob Anderson in his classic best seller, Stretching: 30th Anniversary Edition
- Reduce muscle tension and make the body feel more relaxed
- Help coordination by allowing for freer and easier movement
- Increase range of motion
- Help prevent injuries such as muscle strains
- Make strenuous activities like running, skiing, tennis, swimming and cycling easier because it prepares you for activity; it’s a way of signaling the muscles they are about to be used
- Helps maintain your current level of flexibility, so as time passes you do not become stiffer and stiffer
- Develop body awareness, as you stretch various parts of the body you focus on them and get in touch with them; you get to know yourself.
- Help loosen the mind’s control of the body so that the body moves for “it’s own sake” rather than for competition or ego
- Feel good
Links to good stretching routines AND WEBSITES
15 Stretches You Should Do Every Day – Infographic
10-15 minute Morning Stretch Routine
Dr. Oz’s Morning Stretching Routine
Daily Morning Stretching Exercises from Livestrong
6 Full-Body Stretching Exercises
Mass Gain Source: Avoid post-workout mistakes
I hope you find one you enjoy. Let me know how it goes!
“I never struggled with injury problems because of my preparation – in particular my stretching.” Edwin Moses [track and field Olympic athlete]
Molly Larkin is the co-author of the international best-seller “The Wind Is My Mother; The Life and Teachings of a Native American Shaman” and other books on health. She is passionate about helping people live life to their fullest potential through her classes, healing practice and blog at www.MollyLarkin.com
