Stretch and Breathe
On the days you’re feeling overly run down, stretch and breathe. Sounds simple right? It is! Stretching out your body helps to keep your muscles flexible and healthy. Sitting in a chair all day can cause your hamstrings to get incredibly tight. If you don’t stretch them out, it can make extending your leg more difficult. Over time, this can affect your ability to walk. Not regularly stretching your muscles makes it easier for them to get damaged when you do use them. Studies have shown that regular stretching leads to muscles that are long, lean, and flexible. Plus it’s a great way to get rid of stress, improve circulation, and reduced pain and stiffness.
Breathing is probably something you don’t think about too often, but you should. Taking a few deep breaths has shown to have an incredible effect on stress. When you’re stressed, your breathing patterns change, which means your body isn’t getting the necessary oxygen it needs. Breathing deeply and slowly can help to regulate your breathing, which results in lower stress hormones in the blood, increased energy, and increased feelings of calm.
Practicing yoga is a perfect combination of these two. The
physical benefits of yoga include increased flexibility, improved respiration, and increased muscle and tone. On the mental side, you’ll enjoy feelings of calmness, a relaxed mind, and sharpened concentration. Taking a few minutes to practice some yoga poses is a great way to calm and relax your body before facing the day.
