Fitness and Health: How Does Stretching Relieve Stress?

Life can be chaotic and stressful at times. Soon, your joints and backs begin to experience frequent pain, forcing you to move stiffly due to their tense state. Stretching is one technique for reducing stress in one's life and body. 

Physical therapist Anne Whitis noticed that stress activates the body's "fight or flight" reaction, causing the body to stiffen up. Chronic pain develops in these areas of tension, including the shoulders, lower back, neck, and head. Stretching, she said, inhibits that protective response and relaxes the stiff body.

Stretching and stress relief has been linked by fitness and health professionals. Ulrick Bien-Aimé, a personal trainer, explains that to alleviate tension caused by anxiety or stress, he requires his customers to hold stretches for at least 15 seconds to help them relax and let go of stress.

How does stretching help in releasing your stress? We’ve listed four ways it improves your physiology.

1. Helps in Blood Circulation

With the blood flow, flexibility is improved in the muscles. The increased circulation helps the muscles relax and release their tension. It also removes the fatigued waste products from the muscles. That is why it is vital to stretch when you feel like your muscles are tired.

2. Aids in Reducing the Pain

Stretching helps you reduce the stiffness, soreness, and pain in your muscles and joints. It also allows you to improve your posture. During your stretch therapy, your stretching helps remove the misaligned joints and improve your overall body alignment.

Stretching helps relieve pain by increasing blood circulation to the affected area. It also helps lengthen the muscle tissues that are too short and tight.

3. Improves Focus and Releases Tension

Stretching is done in a way that helps in improving your breathing. When you perform stretching exercises, you are expected to take deep breaths. This is because deep breathing helps relax your body and relieve stress.

Taking a deep breath helps you focus on something other than your tension and stress. It also makes you aware of your body's position. It is a kind of meditation.

4. Promotes Control Over Physical and Mental Wellbeing

Just like your body activates its "fight or flight" reaction when you are stressed, it also activates the same reaction when you are moving too fast. When you are stressed, you are usually in a hurry to do things.

When you stretch, you take a break to relax your muscles and slow down your mind's activity. Stretching helps in slowing down your physical activity. It makes you focus on your movement and develops your control over your campaign.

Stretching helps you in stress management. It is a health-promoting habit that can be done anywhere. It helps you when you are exercising in the gym, working on a computer, driving, or at home. It is also a good habit to keep your body fit and active. 

Conclusion

Stretching is an effortless activity, yet it gives the body a lot of health benefits. In reality, it helps in managing your stress. Stretching also gives you a sense of peace and relaxation. There are many stretching exercises to relieve your stress, relax your muscles and improve your physical fitness.

Stretch Studio is your first ever one-on-one assisted stretching concept. If you are looking for professional stretching in Sydney to help you release your stress, we are here to help. Contact us and learn more.