Stretching is something spontaneous and natural that our body demands, but we tend to stretch a little and not spend enough time on it. When we wake up, we usually stretch through an instinctive stretching gesture that the body adapts to recover its vital tone, but we also do it to relieve fatigue after an effort.
Stretching relaxes us; it takes away daily stress. In today’s pace of life, a lack of physical activity often makes us stiff, overweight and stressed. This is rarely considered a significant problem when the reality is that it has a very negative influence on our body and mind.
Mental Benefits of Stretching
Stretching has lots of benefits for human mental health, and below are some of them:
Decreases Stress
According to experts, stretching reduces stress by promoting increased blood flow in the body, reduces inflammatory processes, and reduces neuronal growth. To top it off, physical activity also releases endorphins. Among the functions of these hormones is to promote a feeling of well-being.
In addition, a whole set of reactions makes the person relax longer, generating psychological and emotional balance—improving the mood. Therefore, if any more stressful everyday situation arises, the person tends to be calmer and more balanced in resolving it.
Most Active Memory
Cognitive functions also increase when one’s aerobic capacity increases due to stretching. Stretching ensures that the cardiovascular system is functioning properly, improving circulation to the brain, which leaves the person with more reflexes and a sharper memory.
Studies show that older adults who practice simple stretching at least three times a week significantly improve agility, motor coordination, attention, and memory.
Improvement in Self-Esteem
Regular stretching contributes to many goals, such as weight reduction and muscle toning. And this usually improves the self-esteem and emotional health of practitioners. Gaining greater self-confidence helps improve relationships, as the person feels more comfortable getting closer to others.
Social Involvement
Stretching, physical exercises, and group sports bring people together, which is especially important in old age. Running groups, gym classes, and other activities such as a walk on the court, a volleyball game, or a football game naturally encourage social interactivity. Thus, social involvement, stretching, and mental health go perfectly together.
Emotional Skills Development
Stretching and mental health are related to the development of emotional skills. With stretching, you can establish a routine and follow it up with dedication and discipline.
This helps deal with frustrations and mood swings which tend to happen on bad days. It takes you into a different mind space where you can reflect and make better decisions.
Improves Sleep
Physical activity releases sleep hormones, making a person sleep well. With physical activities like stretching, you can relax more and sleep better. A good night’s sleep has numerous benefits. Thus, the benefits of physical activities complement each other and increase the quality of life.
Conclusion
We should all try to stretch more, especially if we have to maintain a position for a long time, sitting in front of the computer or television. We have listed some of the benefits of stretching, and we hope it spurs you to engage in more daily stretching.