Stretch Your Body

Spring’s return can provide a motivational boost to start — or restart — healthy routines and prepare your body to take on the day.

The science of stretching has evolved in recent years. Once thought of as a way to “warm up” before exercise, experts now see long-term improvement in joint flexibility as a main benefit of stretching.

Stretching daily, or several times a week, can deliver long-term benefits, including:

Greater flexibility and range of motion, which makes physical activity less painful and more productive
Reduced risk of injury, since supple muscles and flexible joints are more resilient during activity
Minimized muscle shortening and tightness, which can result from underuse and can leave people weak

To help you make stretching part of your routine, try this small step.

Small Step: Learn Some Easy Go-To Stretches

This guide from SilverSneakers^® offers step-by-step instructions and videos for several beginner-friendly stretches. If your fitness allows, try this routine, or start with the stretches that feel most comfortable.

7 Simple Stretches

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/stretching/art-20047931

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-stretching

Motivated to do more?

If you have ELCA-Primary health benefits with Portico:

Log in to Burnalong to find classes on stretching, yoga, and more, like “LiveWell Office Stretching” with Lili Rojas.
Take the Workplace Stretching course on Being and learn simple stretching exercises to boost your overall health and energy.

If you have ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefits with Portico:

Register or log in to try SilverSneakers On-Demand, for virtual classes, health tips, and workouts – whenever and wherever you want them.

This information should not be considered or used as a substitute for professional health care advice. By providing this information, Portico Benefit Services is not providing any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Each individual is responsible for his or her own health and medical treatment decisions. You should talk with your doctor to determine the lifestyle changes and health care treatment options appropriate for you.