Lack of flexibility isn’t necessarily obvious on a day to day basis, but it may potentially pose some serious health concerns as you get older. Flexibility is defined as “the range of motion possible around a specific joint”. A flexible body is less likely to suffer musculoskeletal injuries, pain in the lower back and has a better posture.
These 7 tips are easy to follow and your future self with greatly appreciate it!
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Stretching
If you include stretching in your normal exercise routine, you are likely to gain better flexibility in the body. Stretching can help rehabilitate from injuries and improve your posture because it helps with your neck and back pain, and relieving muscle cramps. Tai Chi and yoga have been found useful in improving flexibility in the body. Do some static stretches (i.e. stretch a muscle to its length and hold it static there for some time).
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Choose full-range motion during exercise
When exercising, try to cover the whole range of motion a joint can perform rather than focusing on a single or twice repeated movements.
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Massages
A massage can loosen and relax the muscles and decrease stiffness in the joints. It will stretch the fibers of the muscles, increase blood circulation and result in better performance.
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Working your body at work
There are a number of simple exercises you can do to keep your muscles and joints active at work. You can stretch your feet and tense them up and hold them there for a few seconds to increase blood flow. Stretch your hands out with chest jutting out. Sit up in your chair and simply twist your upper body from side to side while keeping your feet in same position in front of you.
Source: Pixabay
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Drink more water
It sounds very simple but many people do not drink enough water. A hydrated body means fully hydrated muscles doing their job more easily.
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Breathing
Take a few minutes to focus on your breath. It always relaxes the body. If possible, do some deep breathing.
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Roll a ball
A simple yoga exercise involves rolling a tennis under bare feet. The exercise relieves cramped muscles in the feet and prevents hamstring injuries.
Sourced from: Bustle
Featured Image: Pixabay