Stretching Tips:
These suggestions are from healthline and there are some stretching exercises to try in the article also.
- Take a deep breath and slowly exhale as your stretch.
- Hold each stretch for 30 seconds to give the muscle ample time to relax.
- Don’t bounce while you stretch, as this increases your risk of injury.
- Only stretch until you feel tension in the muscle, not to the point of pain.
- Always warm up before stretching by moving around for 5 to 10 minutes, such as going for a walk, even walking in place and moving your arms (my add).
Breathing is really important when you stretch to get oxygen into your muscles. Oxygen helps your muscles to relax, allowing them to stretch more. Breathing rhythmically while stretching also helps to move you into a meditative state, reducing your stress which is a good thing! I didn’t always warm up before stretching and used to always bounce when I stretched thinking it allowed me to go farther and wondered why it didn’t feel so great afterward. Bouncing can tear your muscle fibers, making it harder for them to recover. These tips are easy tips to follow, and they can make the difference in your results.
For you Sizzling After 60 athletes out there, stretching is critical for your effectiveness. There are advanced programs online just for you. For the rest of us, there are programs that will meet us where we are. The good thing about a stretching program is that you don’t have do it for long periods of time. According to the ACE, 10 minutes two to three times a week will start to show benefits if you are consistent. Consistency is key, because the saying is true—use it or lose it!
I know you want to keep on Sizzling! So, get a chair, bench, go outside or get on the floor and Stretch!