Do you spend your entire day at a desk? Have you noticed muscle tightness after sitting for long periods? Have you noticed a decrease in your energy levels?
These are all signals from your body that it is time to get up, move around and start stretching. People should prioritize their health despite their hectic schedules. As a result, we will learn the importance of stretching our bodies from time to time in this article.
Stretching Physiology
Stretching should be a part of an exercise plan. This is a great way to maintain a healthy body and mind. Stretching is an essential component of a balanced exercise plan.
The importance of stretching and warm-up exercises before work lowers the risk of musculoskeletal injuries by decreasing tiredness, improving muscular balance and posture, and enhancing muscle coordination.
Other than that, doing this routine can also do the following:
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It reduces fatigue.
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It also improves blood flow and nutrient delivery to joint structures and soft tissues.
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Stretching raises soft tissue warmth and promotes tissue flexibility.
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It enhances joint synovial fluid (the lubricant for bones and articular cartilage), which allows for a broader range of motion and slows the aging process of joints.
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Stretching improves a joint’s ability to move through a wider range of motion while using less energy.
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The practice reduces tension and resistance in tendons and muscles.
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Stretching helps to improve muscle balance and posture.
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Soft-tissue tissues frequently adapted poorly to the effects of gravity and bad posture.
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Stretching realigns soft tissue structures, lowering the effort required to acquire and maintain excellent posture in daily tasks.
Muscle Coordination is Improved by Stretching
Doing stretching routinely keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, which is important for maintaining joint range of motion.
Muscles shorten and become tight without it. When the muscles are called into action, they are weak and unable to fully extend. Thus, the importance of stretching also helps improve the velocity of nerve impulses.
Stretching increases the velocity of nerve impulses. This refers to the time it takes an impulse to travel to the brain and back to the muscle. It allows opposing muscle groups to work together more effectively. This also promotes a culture of health, safety, and teamwork
Here are additional reasons why you should take stretch breaks at work:
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It increases flexibility and makes your muscles feel less strained.
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It revitalizes you and boosts your productivity.
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It aids in the improvement of posture, which lessens back discomfort.
Working at a desk all day is taxing on the muscles, and it may take a major toll on them over time.
Staying in the same position for more than 8 hours a day not only causes muscle stress, but it can also contribute to long-term health issues such as:
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Pain in the neck and shoulders
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Lower back pain
However, incorporating stretching into your workdays can significantly minimize your risk of soft tissue injuries and joint pain. Stretching will also aid in the reduction of overall muscular tiredness and the realignment of your posture.
Truly, there’s a lot to be thankful for when it comes to stretching our bodies. Performing these exercises on a regular basis will help you maintain muscle strength and flexibility. These are just a few of the many proofs when it comes to the importance of stretching one’s body.
Workplace Experiments
There are some simple ways to stretch without even leaving your desk. Here are two stretches you can start doing right now:
Sitting Leg Raises
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Straighten one or both legs while seated and hold for five seconds or more.
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Then, lower your leg(s) back to the ground without allowing the feet to touch the floor.
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Repeat for a total of 15.
Squeeze Your Abs
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Simply take a deep breath and tighten your abdominal muscles as you exhale, drawing them towards your spine.
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Squeeze for 5-10 seconds and then release.
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Repeat for a total of 12-15.
Another approach to getting some movement into your day is to stroll over to a coworker’s desk instead of emailing them. This will get your muscles moving, but it will also help you form relationships with your coworkers. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
The Takeaway
So, how important is stretching? It’s immensely important based on the article that you have read!
Therefore, we recommend that you take a few stretch breaks during the day. Whether it’s stretching at your desk, holding a walking meeting, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, it’s critical to keep your body moving to avoid muscle tiredness and long-term health problems.
If your workplace requires you to sit on a chair the whole day, or if you’re concerned about the health consequences of your job, share this article with your team. To complement those stretches, visit mobilekneads.com for more corporate wellness materials.
