Boosting and improving your health is often one of the most important tasks people have on their list of things to do but unfortunately, it can feel daunting and overwhelming. Many people do not know the best and most efficient ways to get their healthy lifestyle off the ground. One of the easiest ways to incorporate a healthy, completely free habit that can fit into your day, no matter how busy it is, is some stretching and mobility training for which you can read more here if you would like to delve into this topic a little deeper.
This article aims to shed light on the importance of stretching and moving your joints and muscles, plus offer some helpful ways in which you can incorporate this into your daily life, without too much fuss.
Why You Should Consider Light Movement Training
It is often said that one of the biggest reasons people experience joint and muscle pain is due to a lack of movement. Now, by movement, high intensity or marathon running is not what is meant. Movement simply means getting the body a little warm and encouraging some increased heart flow. The best way to do this is through what is known as 'light movement' training or 'light mobility training' which is the act of either stretching or light walking, which will also make you feel less tired throughout the day.
People often underestimate the good that a few simple stretches can do. Stretching, even if it is only for a few minutes, awakens the body and gets the blood and lymph nodes flowing to where they need to be. Through a few simple acts, you can get the neck feeling supple, the shoulders relaxed, the back flexible and the hamstrings lighter. The whole body works as one 'organism', therefore, if you are experiencing pain in your back, the funny thing is that it is most likely coming from your legs or your hips. That is why simply going for a massage for your back often does not do the trick because it is the whole body that needs attention and there is no better way of spoiling your body than by stretching it.
How You Can Incorporate Stretching and Mobility Training to Your Daily Life
Stretching does not need to be a time-intensive thing. If you work in an office and have a full day with a 1-hour commute each way, plus a solid 8-hour work day, then you still need to make time to go grocery shopping, feed yourself and any potential dependents and have some 'you time' – the idea of trying to find an hour extra to workout can feel impossible.
This is why it is good to know that stretching can be something you do for a few minutes as you move through your day. For example, if you are sitting at your work desk and waiting for your computer to update or load a file, you can easily move your neck back and forth a few times every hour. Or if you are stuck in traffic in your car, you can simply massage each of your fingers and stretch your lower arms and wrist, which hold a lot of tension from typing away at a computer. During your lunch break, you can take 10 minutes to lay flat on the floor in your office and practice a few rotations.
Furthermore, you can bring mobility into play by taking the stairs wherever you can. If you can wear sneakers or trainers to work, do so, as studies have shown that if you are wearing some form of active gear, you are more likely to move whenever you find the chance. These are great ways to bring in some movement, they do not require a lot of dedicated time and they are completely free of charge.
