As we age, we may find it more difficult to be as flexible and mobile as we once were. This is due to a variety of reasons: natural wear and tear on the body over time, changes in our hormone levels, and joint health among other things. As older adults, stretching can help improve flexibility and mobility by lengthening muscles that have shortened from lack of use or aging. In this blog post, you will learn 10 reasons why stretching is beneficial for older adults!
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The first benefit of stretching, and arguably the most obvious, is that it can help improve flexibility.
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Another benefit of stretching is that older adults will discover that they feel less restrictive in their movements when doing simple tasks like walking, climbing stairs, and even taking baths.
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Older adults who stretch regularly may also notice an increase in overall energy levels - this makes sense because having proper mobility allows older adults to do more of the things they love.
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Stretching consistently can also reduce the risk of injuries and help you recover faster from accidents that do occur.
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Many older adults also notice a decrease in their chances of falling and feel that they have more control over their movements and balance.
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While stretching, most people experience a strong sensation of relaxation which can lower blood pressure.
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The lengthening of muscle fibers during stretching also helps to reduce potential muscle cramps which are common in older adults due to dehydration.
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Stretching often is one of the best ways to help joints move through their full range of motion which naturally decreases as we age.
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We all know that poor posture leads to pain, and stretching can help improve your posture through body awareness and reduced muscle tension.
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Lastly, stretching is a great way to improve your circulation by increasing the body supply to your muscles and tissues.
In conclusion, it is important that older adults make time to stretch in order to keep their bodies healthy.
Happy stretching!
The RTWS Team
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