Featured Fundamism: Stretch

Welcome to our Featured Fundamism! We consistently profile a new Fundamism providing individuals guidance on activities intended to bring more F.U.N. to their lives. The goal is to provide education and exposure to things that could potentially help focus less on the things in life that tear us down and more on what builds us up. This Featured Fundamism? Stretch!

WHAT:

Stretch

WHY:

Now I’m not the most flexible gentleman on the planet. However, when I get a good stretch in, I typically end up feeling more relaxed, mentally fit and at peace with my surroundings. After 3 knee surgeries, I’ve found that stretching can mitigate the pain created by changes in weather pressure or physical activity. Being more bendy is an added bonus, if you get my drift.

K. Aleisha Fetters wrote in her Fitness Magazine column titled, “11 Seriously Awesome Benefits of Stretching,” that stretching can produce the following benefits: “stretching primes your muscles for exercise, improves your posture, eases back pain, improves exercise form, prevents injury, boost joint health, slashes stress, helps you sleep better, boosts blood flow to your brain, improves energy, and fights nagging anxieties.”

Often times we consider stretching as a precursor to or activity incorporated after, exercise. As you can see from the benefits above, stretching doesn’t have to apply exclusively to those who work out. Challenge yourself to a good stretch and feel the difference in your physical and mental health!

HOW:

Try touching your toes (just give your legs a hug if you can’t), bring your knees to your chest while laying on the floor, make a butterfly with your legs to stretch the groin, grab your elbow over your head to stretch your triceps, and grab a door jam stretching your arm behind you to work those pectorals.

There are a million resources out there for guidance on stretching. Take a yoga class, check out a book from the library or do an old-fashioned Google search on “easy stretches.” Grab a family member, coworker or a friend to give you a hand and don’t push yourself too hard. You’ll want to feel a good burn but not excruciating pain. 30-45 seconds and 2-3 times per stretch is typically a good way to get the blood flowing.

If you’re not used to stretching, be patient with yourself. As stated before, I’m not the most flexible. However, setting aside a few minutes a day to get my stretch on has produced countless benefits and I’m getting more limber by the day. Have F.U.N. and happy stretching!