Pay close attention to the rhythm of your movements in whichever activity you choose. This will help you identify areas of strain and strength that can be focused on over time. While working to gain flexibility over a longer time period is best, there are ways that stretching can provide instant gratification.
But gentle stretching paired with deep breaths and a massage can actually release tension immediately. Remember that flexibility is a spectrum, and that it may be painful to move from one end to the other. At first, your body may resist the stretching exercises. Muscles have been trained and shaped a certain way — be that healthy extended muscles or ones that have spent the last two decades hunched over a computer.
Stretching may at first set off alarm bells in your body and can seem painful and pointless. The Supine Spine Twist exercise is a great back stretch, lengthening the back muscles and increasing mobility in the area. Relax the legs to the side, before slowly lifting back to the middle and repeating on the other side.
Not far off the classic two-legged hamstring stretch, This one adds a little weight to help lengthen and stretch out both your back and hamstrings, two key areas that contribute to lower back pain and discomfort. If you don't have a kettlebell or dumbbell, you can do the Jefferson Curl backstretch with resistance bands or similarly weighted household items.
Thoracic back mobility exercises are great for relieving the mid-back from tightness and aches. The Kneeling Thoracic Twist does just that, improving back mobility and reducing tension in the middle of your back. The Kneeling Thoracic Twists are also a great back stretch to do at work if you find yourself sat at the desk for long periods.
Another stretch taken from the classic yoga textbook, and for a good reason. The Cat-Cow Pose helps stimulate and activate the spine and surrounding muscles, stretching the back, neck and shoulders. Flowing between the two poses helps promote back flexibility, releasing tension in the aforementioned areas. Williams says. This type of stretching is vital in improving performance and reducing the risk for injury.
Williams warns. Instead of looking back on your kid-level flexibility as a long-ago dream, mix in a little bit of stretching into your new daily routine. You might never get your legs behind your head, but your older self will thank you for it. Privacy Policy Terms of Service. Looking for sweet cookie recipes , the latest fashion trends and inspo , or a way to up your calligraphy game?
Inspiration delivered to your inbox Subscribe to our newsletter. Sign Up. Lifestyle Health. She writes about pop culture, health, lifestyle, feminism, fashion, and interviews with interesting people, and has previously worked for Good Housekeeping magazine, Buzzfeed, and Hello Giggles.
She loves podcasts, running, reading, dogs and cats equally, and peanut butter anything.
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