Despite what you may have heard - stretching is about so much more than warming up. Everyone has physical imbalances and mobility restrictions, many of which are made worse by sitting down for too long. Excessive sedentary time and easy modern living mean we don’t put our bodies into enough different positions, something that often gets worse and creates more problems as we age. Even ten minutes of stretching a day can make a real difference to your mobility and balance, not to mention your chance of developing injuries when performing other exercise routines.

Starting the day with a stretch is one of the best things you can do for your health and well-being. Not only will it help energise you by pumping blood around your body, it also helps to launch you into the day with higher levels of focus and confidence. Mental stress is often accompanied by physical tension, with a build-up of stress causing your muscles to contract and lock-up. Stretching exercises have powerful stress-busting abilities, releasing endorphins and providing you with a sense of relaxation and euphoria. While yoga poses and breathing exercises can be incorporated into your morning stretch, even the most mindless of stretches can still be beneficial. 

Regardless of where you are or what you’re doing, stretching is a great way to work on your posture and flexibility throughout the day. Different stretches are capable of lengthening and loosening tight muscles, helping you to better align your lower back and spine and relieve aches and pains in your pelvis and legs. One of the best things about stretching is that you can completely personalise your routine based on your own imbalances, with different routines capable of enhancing balance, improving your range of motion, increasing your stamina, and decreasing the risk of injury. Stretches that work with just a few muscle groups can often be performed while sitting down, meaning you can do them periodically while relaxing or working at a desk.   

Stretching is a great way to feel more energised and less tired, with muscles that stay still making you feel tired and sluggish. When you stretch you move blood around and nourish your muscles, improving your concentration levels as your brain gets access to more blood and oxygen. Conversely, stretching at the end of the day is a great way to relax and unwind, especially when combined with yoga or specific breathing exercises. Whether you're returning from a jog or just another hard day at the office, stretching is one of the best ways to reset your mind and body. Nothing beats a little stretching before bed, with evening sessions sending the signals your body needs to shut down for the night.

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