Benefits of Flexibility and Balance

1. Benefits of Flexibility and Balance www.healthlair.com

2. Stretching and flexibility improve your range of motion This means that your joints can move the way they are supposed to.  Like a well oiled car! You want good motion so you can get the most use of your muscles.  For example: If you were to trip over something and you’re pretty flexible, then your hip muscles have room to move to its extreme position and prevent a fall.. hopefully.  Now if you are less flexible, think about trying to break your fall while your shoes are tied together.  You won’t be able to the wide open step to prevent your fall because your range of motion is restricted.  Same is true of your arms and other body parts. It also improves your athletic performance! Lets put it this way, your muscles need to stretch a little so it can use its full potential to move.  If you’re flexible then you can use your full range of motion, and your muscles can use their full potential too! This is great not only in sports but also in daily activities.  What exactly happens when you need to carry groceries to the car? Or move a few things around the house? Or carry your books from class to class. MUSCLE USE! Sports or not… its good for your strength and power.

3. Decrease risk of injury! This is both in sports injuries and injuries in daily activities.  For example: If you’re playing a sport and your fall on one of your joints in a weird way.. if your joints are okay with that kind of stretch… no injury. On the other hand, if you’re doing daily activities like going up and down stairs or moving boxes, or putting dishes away or doing the bed. Then being flexible is a great way to these activities without pain, without strain and without injury. Why? Well because you can bend that way! So its no biggie! But what if you’re trying to lift a heavy box? And your hips aren’t flexible enough to bend wide? Chances are you will lift the box with your back rather than your buttocks and you guessed it… you “pulled your back”.  Now you’re laying there in pain, hoping someone will come and help.  How do I know this? Well… from experience obviously!?

4. TIPS Make sure to stretch both sides equally! Having equal flexibility prevents injury..asymmetric flexibility may put you at risk of injury, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to prevent hello!!!! Stretch the muscles and joints you use most… for example: If you run a lot or play football.. stretch your calves, your hamstrings, your ankle joints, knees, and hips. If you play basketball do the same and also get those shoulders. If you play soccer.. stretch those legs baby! Hamstrings are prone to injury, so give them some love. If you’re a yogi (meaning you do lots of yoga) get those wrists too! You get the idea! Don’t BOUNCE on the stretch. Why? Like I’ve said before… if not controlled… you can get hurt. Slow, steady stretches are the safest.

5. Last thing to mention:  Evidence on the overall benefits of stretching are all over the place. ✓ Stretching before a race, or big sports event can lower your strength and power. So it may be best not to stretch before these events, but rather afterward.? Phew! Did it! A whole 8 weeks of awesome info! But wait!! We’re not all the way done yet.. you didn’t think I’d forget about the last challenge yourself game did you? Here’s your challenge… Now, Have any of you heard of the game TWISTER?  It’s a really fun game.. Now not many people have this at home anymore… it’s a bit of an older game. BUT you can make your own if you need to.✓ You can do it outside with chalk on the floor, you can put colored post-its on the floor, you can make the game whichever way you can. Below are the instructions and picture of the game.✓  The idea is to play TODAY! Then stretch your hips, shoulders, wrists, ankles, and knees after the game.  Stretch those same joints again at least 3 times before you play the game again.

6. THANKS Thanks for reading. For more health related blog, please explore our website: https://healthlair.com/ You can also follow our social profiles for all types of latest blogs.