Stretching help increase your flexibility, which is an important factor of fitness, but it can also improve your posture, reduce stress and body aches, and more.

9 Benefits of stretching

1. Increases your flexibility
Regular stretching can help increase your flexibility, which is crucial for your overall health.

Not only can improved flexibility help you to perform everyday activities with relative ease, but it can also help delay the reduced mobility that can come with aging.

2. Increases your range of motion
Being able to move a joint through it's full range of motion gives you more freedom of movement.
Stretching on a regular basis can help increase your range of motion.

3. Improves your performance in physical activities
Performing dynamic stretches prior to physical activities has been shown to help prepare your muscles.
It may also help improve your performance in an athletic event or exercise.

4. Increases blood flow to your muscles
Performing stretches on a regular basis may improve your circulation.

Improved circulation increases blood flow to your muscles, which can shorten your recovery time and reduce muscle soreness.

5. Improves your posture
Muscle imbalances are common and can lead to poor posture.
One study found that a combination of strengthening and stretching specific muscle groups can reduce musculoskeletal pain and encourage proper alignment.

6. Helps to heal and prevent back pain
Tight muscles can lead to a decrease in your range of motion.
When this happens, you increase the likelihood of straining the muscles in your back.
Stretching can help heal an existing back injury by stretching the muscles.
A regular stretching routine can also help prevent future back pain by strengthening your back muscles and reducing your risk for muscle strain.

7. Can calm your mind
Participating in a regular stretching program not only helps increase your flexibility, but it can also calm your mind.
While you stretch, focus on mindfulness and meditation exercises, which give your mind a mental break.

8. Is great for stress relief
When you're experiencing stress, there's a good chance your muscles are tense.
That’s because your muscles tend to tighten up in response to physical and emotional stress.
Focus on areas of your body where you tend to hold your stress, such as your neck, shoulders, and upper back.

9. Helps decrease tension headaches
Tension and stress headaches can interfere with your daily life.

In addition to a proper diet, adequate hydration, and plenty of rest, stretching may help reduce the tension you feel from headaches.

There are several types of stretching techniques, including:
1. dynamic;
2. static;
3. ballistic;
4. PNF;
5. passive;
6. active stretching.

The most common forms of stretches are static and dynamic:
1. Static stretches involve holding a stretch in a comfortable position for a period of time, typically between 10 and 30 seconds.

This form of stretching is most beneficial after you exercise.
2. Position. These stretches are usually done before exercise to get your muscles ready for movement.