By incorporating a stretching routine as part of your day-to-day activities, you can improve flexibility and motion. Moreover, stretching also helps you perform better at sports and other daily tasks. It can also help decrease pain and relieve muscle tightness. We have put together a list of the 6 most effective stretches that you should incorporate into your daily routine. Let’s take a look.
Runner Stretch
This stretch is ideal for loosening up the muscles in the lower body. This includes the hamstrings and the lower back. Tight hamstrings often cause lower back pain, which may worsen if you sit for longer periods. This stretch will help to ensure that your muscles don’t tighten up even if you have to remain seated for prolonged periods of time during the day.
Instructions:
- Stand straight with your feet shoulder-length apart.
- Place your left leg towards the back and put your hands on the ground on either side of your right leg.
- Start lowering your hips until you feel pressure on the waist and hip and hold for 30 seconds.
- Repeat the same stretch with your right leg
Forward Fold
The forward fold is a full-body stretch and is perfect for people who sit for long hours – for example, people who work in an office all day long. The stretch focuses on the hamstrings and legs. It also opens up and eases the shoulders and chest.
Instructions:
- Stand straight with your feet shoulder length apart and toes pointing forward.
- Reach your hands behind you to meet your glutes and cross your fingers if you can.
- Keep your back flat and slowly bend at the waist by shifting your weight backward until you feel a stretch down the back of your legs.
- As you continue to bend forward, allow your arms to be pulled above your head while keeping them straight and hold for 30 seconds.
- Repeat this stretch at least 3 times to feel its full effects.
Seated Back Twist
This type of stretch is actually a great way to relieve spinal pain and maintain good posture. They can also improve mobility and substantially reduce back pain and discomfort. However, if you have a spinal injury spinal disk problem, you should skip this stretch and do some others on this list.
Instructions:
- Sit on the floor while crossing your legs. Your left leg should be on top.
- Cross your left leg further over your right leg and place your foot on the ground by your right knee. Your left leg should be pointing up at this point.
- Now, gently push your shoulders towards the left. You can use your left leg for leverage.
- Hold this position for about 30 seconds and repeat.
