Everyone wishes to be mentally, physically, and socially healthy. While most people prefer doing exercises to become fit, stretching is a great idea when it comes to natural body improvement, especially for your mental health.
Several theories explain when, where, and how to carry out stretching. However, even though it should be compulsory, the debate on where and when to do it can be optional.
People engage themselves in deep exercises, including yoga workouts, heavyweight lifting, and sit-ups to improve their physical being but ignore their mental care. Most individuals are conditioned to believe that stress, depression, poor sleep, and memory can only be dealt with through guidance and counseling, which is not the case.
Therefore, this article discusses the positives surrounding stretching, and if it is good for your mentality. Specifically, you’ll want to know the stretching benefits for mental health.
Is Stretching Good for My Mental Health?
Stretching is good for your mental health because it makes you feel relaxed, happy, and stress-free. Stretching raises the body’s serotonin levels; a hormone that regulates mood and reduces stress.
It also reduces anxiety and exhaustion and stimulates receptors in the nervous system, which inhibits the production of stress hormones in the brain. Therefore, when performed appropriately, stretching boosts mental health and increases positivity and optimism.
What Is Stretching?
Stretching is simply placing a particular part of your body into a position that will elongate the muscles or the tissues. Without stretching, your body muscles become stiff, and you can experience aches and stress.
The process boosts your energy levels to reduce stress; hence, impacting mental well-being. It can also lift your mood and calm your mind leading to relaxation.
There is no specific time recommended for stretching, but it depends on the personal schedule. The best stretching techniques recommended for mental health include;
Dynamic Stretching
Dynamic stretching involves body movements that warm up the muscles. Most workout or yoga sessions start with a dynamic stretching routine.
For example, you can move your hands, jog, sprint, or jump in one place before starting a normal exercise routine.
Static Stretching
The technique involves stretching the targeted muscle and holding it in one place for one minute. It is done in two ways; active and passive static stretching. Inactive static stretching, you should apply your force to perform it, while in passive, an external force is applied to increase the intensity of stretching. The method helps with mental health by improving flexibility and allowing muscles to loosen up.
- Pre-Contraction or Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
- PNF is a more advanced form of stretching and involves contracting and stretching certain muscle groups which improve mental health within a few weeks of performance.
- Ways Through Which Stretching Benefits Mental Health
Besides improving physical health, stretching has a great impact on your mental health as discussed below.
Stretching Increasing Inner Balance
Your body’s inner peace is the most powerful benefit you enjoy from stretching. Fitness experts explain that stretching copes with brain issues like depression by activating the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to release feel-good hormones like dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin.
These hormones also lift your moods to make you feel excited throughout the time. Make slow stretching movements and controlled breathing act at meditation to calm your mind.
Stretching Improves Posture
Bad posture affects physical health by causing muscle stiffness and soreness which leads to a lack of body confidence. Bad posture may result from muscle weakness and tightness, poor core stability, occupational demands, and a sedentary lifestyle which are becoming more common in modern society.
Stretching encourages good body alignment, enhances fitness, and reduces pain to improve body confidence and give you a happy life, now and in the future as you age up.
Stretching Boosts Energy Levels
Your energy affects your overall well-being, behaviors, and relationships. Lack of enough energy leads to negative attitudes and feelings of helplessness, which can result in stress and body imbalance.
A good stretch enhances proper blood circulation which activates the release of endorphins that regulates metabolism and boosts energy levels to enhance a clear mind, a positive attitude, and hence makes you feel good.
Stretching Leads to Relaxation
Stress results in stiffed-up body muscles which causes aches, joint pain, high blood pressure, insomnia, and anxiety. A good stretch can help you to manage stress by relieving your tense muscles.
Also, when you stretch, the body produces endorphins that calm the mind and offer quick recovery from stress. Furthermore, relaxation eliminates insomnia hence, improving your sleep.
Steps on Performing Stretching Routine
As a beginner, stretching can be overwhelming. However, here are simple steps to help you start the process smoothly.
Warm-Up
Warming up is vital before you start stretching to avoid unwanted injuries like fractures and dislocation. You can do it by running, jumping, walking, or skipping before you get into a complete stretching routine.
Be Slow and Controlled
Go slow if you are beginning with stretching. For example, you can start three to five times a week for a few minutes to help your muscle adjust to the process perfectly.
Note that stretching needs patience, and you may take months the feel the desired results. Do not pressure yourself when starting; you can stretch by the side of your desk or bed any time you feel free.
Focus on Sore Muscles First
When you start to stretch, sore and stiff muscles can limit your performance. Thus, focus on them first to reduce the soreness and stiffness. Do it slowly, and with time, stretching will make them flexible and movable.
Stretch for a Few Minutes A Day
You do not need to take the whole day stretching. Instead, working your way up to 15 minutes can show noticeable results. However, it would be beneficial if you do it regularly to leverage its full potential.
Wrapping Up
To enjoy the immense benefits for your mental health from stretching, consider adding the process to your daily used tools like office chairs.
Final Thoughts On Stretching Benefits for Mental Health
Stretching has immense benefits to your mental health, such as enhancing relaxation, increasing inner balance, and improving body posture. It can be dynamic, pre-contraction, or static.
However, if you want to reap these benefits, it is crucial to follow a routine keenly. Remember, consistency and patience are key factors to the optimal results from stretching.
For instance, you do not need to invest more hours into the process; just spend 10 to 15 minutes daily. Also, do it regularly to leverage its full potential.
We are sure that after having completed a few quick and easy routines, you will agree that the stretching benefits for mental health are obvious and quite useful.
