This is something most people are aware of but often take for granted. As age catches up with you, your muscles start to stiffen and your range of motion decreases. This hinders your physical performance and even simple day-to-day tasks like bending down to pick up an object require arduous effort when your muscles become too stiff. Stretching loosens your muscles and ensures they maintain their range of motion.

Joint pain doesn’t come just because you’re growing older – the lack of stretching plays a part too. When the muscles around your joints are tense, unnecessary force is placed on your joints, pulling them out of alignment. Your joints will suffer when they are unable to bear the weight of the force. Even if you do not feel the ache in your joints now, there’s no harm starting your daily stretches today – your joints will only stand to benefit from it.

Stretching is a great way to help you loosen up and ease your anxiety. When stress levels are high, a fight-or-flight response is triggered, causing your body to tense up. This results in pain in areas like your shoulders, back and neck where the tension is held. Stretching can help relax your muscles and relieve some of the tension.

On days when you feel lethargic and find yourself nodding off at work, get up from your desk and do a few static stretches like neck rotations or shoulder rolls – they will give you a quick energy boost. Your muscles tighten when you’re tired, making you feel even more fatigued. Doing some quick stretches releases the tension in your body, and makes your mind clearer and sharper for a more productive day at work.

Do you often find yourself slouching or hunching over even when you’re standing? Tense and tight muscles pull other muscles away from their original position, causing your alignment to shift. Over time, it leads to serious issues like back pain. Stretching lengthens your muscles and ensures that they stay in the right position. Stretch your lower back, chest and shoulder muscles to keep your spine aligned and improve your overall posture.

Stretching before and after a workout is important for your body to perform optimally. It lengthens your muscles and increases your range of motion, letting you benefit more from your exercises. High-intensity trainings that require your muscles to perform at an intense level can result in muscle tears or pulls if you do not warm up and stretch properly. Injury also sets in when your muscles are forced to perform beyond their capacity. And if you run often, it is normal to find you to develop tighter calves and hamstrings.

Working nine to five at a desk-bound job is bad news for your shoulders, neck and back. It could also be the reason why you may find yourself tossing and turning in bed on some nights, struggling to find a comfortable sleeping position. This is a sign that your muscles are excessively tensed. Try to develop a stretching routine before bedtime. Easing the tension in your body helps you to fall asleep more quickly, while aiding in undisrupted sleep.

Text: Claudia Tan / Shape