Simple daily stretches can be a life saver! Now let’s be honest, stretching is often the part of our day that often gets swept to the side, or squished in for a few scant seconds at the end of our session! But in truth, we really should set aside time in every workout for a sizable stretch as this will help stop daily aches and pains.
Stretching offers a huge range of advantages to both our physical and mental health. Putting aside a little time each day to unwind can build a strong and flexible body as a whole. Implementing a schedule with mobility work can be great for a number of reasons. Not only does it assist in daily aches and pains, but it increases flexibility, prevents injury, reduces stiffness, lowers stress and improves sleep!Â
If you’re looking to ward off aches and pains, try these five simple daily stretches!Â
Standing Leg Swings
Swinging your legs backwards and forwards will slowly loosen your hamstring and hip flexors. This will help aches and pains in your hips and lower back. For ease, brace your hand on a desk or wall then try doing 20 swings per leg.
Standing Side Bend
This stretch helps the entire length of your body from toe tips to fingertips, stretching all the muscles in your legs, sides and arms, and increasing flexibility in the back. The standing side bend is great for the mobility in your spine, assisting in those pains you can get from sitting down all day!
Start by standing tall with your feet and legs together. Reach your left arm straight up overhead, bending your body gently to the right. Repeat on the right side.
Backward Lunges
We tend to hold a lot of stress and tightness in the hip area. This stretch is amazing for the front of your hips, as well as engaging your glutes and strengthening your torso. This is super important for any pains you get in your back as it helps improve mobility and posture as well!
Start by taking a large step backward and lower your body toward the floor. Both legs should be bent at a 90-degree angle at the bottom of the lunge. Rise back to start and repeat.
Lying Back Twists
This is the easiest, gentlest way to decompress your spine and relieve yourself from aches! It stretches all through your back for an amazing tension release and flexibility boost, all while lengthening your hip rotators and relieving any pain in your torso. It really is an amazing stretch. And because you’re lying on the floor, you’re supported and gravity does a lot of the work for you!
Begin by lying on the ground with your right knee crossed outside of your left leg and close to the left knee. Slowly start twisting towards the left side using your left hand to put slight pressure on the bent knee. Hold for about 10 breaths and swap to the other side.
Cobra Stretch
The Cobra stretch is perfect for those aches in your chest and spine! Start by lying on your stomach with your hands in the push up position beside your chest and forehead on the ground. As you exhale, press up through your arms leaving the hips on the ground to extend the spine. You’ll feel a stretch through your back and your abdominals. Keep your shoulders down away from your ears and look forwards keeping the neck nice and long.Â
Due to it’s incredible benefits, simple daily stretches are something we should be doing every day. Think of it this way – stretching keeps us moving freely and easily rather than becoming stiff, static and stuck! Happy Stretching! Xx
