3 BENEFITS OF STRETCHING
We’ve all been advised to stretch before working out or performing physical activities. However, some recent studies have cautioned against this practice, claiming it may lead to an increased chance of getting injured. Regardless, this does not mean you should cut stretching out of your life completely. Stretching is not just for athletes. Everyone can benefit from this practice, and there are many advantages that come with improving your flexibility. Getting in the habit of stretching after you wake up and before you go to bed can benefit many aspects of your overall health.
standing and sitting. The flexibility gained through stretching improves the muscles that are needed for correct posture, and you will also increase your range of motion. RELAXATION AND REDUCED PAIN There are also certain stretches that help lengthen and open your muscles. When your muscles are looser and relaxed, you’re less likely to feel pain or experience muscle cramps. Stretching can work wonders for people suffering from lower back pain. This pain is often caused by tight muscles, and stretching will loosen them and relieve that pain. Stretching can also help your mind loosen up and unwind, which will relieve stress and improve your mood.
Here are our top three benefits!
REDUCED RISK OF INJURY If your muscles are tight and you start working out, your chance of injury increases. Stretching helps to loosen your muscles and allows them to move easier. This still does not mean you should stretch right before working out, but by creating a routine where you stretch in the morning or at night (or both!), your muscles will stay looser, helping prevent muscle strains and tears. IMPROVED BALANCE AND POSTURE Strong posture and balance are essential for both everyday activities and athletic performance. Good posture is necessary for spine health, and you need good balance to do everything from walking down the street to
Go Out and Enjoy the Sunshine
THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL BENEFITS OF SUNLIGHT
www.campuscommonsphysicaltherapy.com 2 Strengthens Your Bones The sun is the best natural source of vitamin D, and it only takes about 15 minutes a few times a week to make a difference in your life. While the pandemic has certainly made things difficult in our country, it did allow people to get outdoors more often. Spending time in the sunlight can be incredibly beneficial for your physical and mental health. If you go outside, even for a short time, you will immediately feel benefits like the following three. We’ve all heard that spending time outside is great for your health and wellness, but that doesn’t mean we spend enough time outside. At the beginning of 2020, a 2019 Outdoor Foundation study revealed that nearly half of the U.S. population does not partake in any outdoor recreation at all. People cited work, technology, and the cost of entry to outdoor areas as reasons for a decrease in outdoor time.
Low vitamin D has been linked to diseases like osteoporosis and rickets. Most of us are aware of the benefits that calcium has, but sunlight helps our bodies better absorb calcium and improves its overall effectiveness for our teeth and bones. Improves Your Mood During the winter months, many people suffer from a lack of energy and low emotions. The days are much shorter throughout winter, which means less sunlight. Researchers at BYU suggested that mental health distress decreases during months with extra sunshine. The sun can boost our serotonin levels and has even been reported to help with anxiety and depression, especially when combined with other treatments. Improves Sleep Quality Serotonin isn’t the only chemical the sun helps your body produce. It also helps us produce melatonin, the sleep chemical. When you wake up to bright light, your body tells itself to
stop making melatonin. Your body produces melatonin when it starts to get dark outside so if you’re having trouble sleeping, try to spend more time in the sunlight throughout the day. The National Institutes of Health has stated that if you get an hour of light in the morning, you can sleep better at night.
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