Stretching is great for you, anytime, but did you know there are specific benefits of stretching in the morning?
A few simple stretches could transform your mornings and enhance your morning routine. We are going to share some practical benefits that come with incorporating a quick daily stretching routine into your a.m. rituals. We’ll also share how taking a few minutes to stretch has helped us set the tone for a kickass day ahead.
Top 10 Benefits of Stretching in the Morning
It is important to be intentional when it comes to your health. Stretching is no different. Read on to see why integrating this activity is a great way to start the day and the wonderful health benefits of morning stretches.
1. Boosts Energy
Stretching increases blood flow and oxygen to your muscles, giving you an energy boost to kickstart your day. Even if you worked out hard the day prior, and have tight muscles, stretching is amazing for making you feel alive again!
2. Flexibility Gains
Regular morning stretches improve flexibility, making daily movements easier and reducing the risk of injuries. Let’s face it. As we age, we begin to notice that we cannot kick our legs up as high as we used to. So, we could really say that stretching makes you feel younger, right?!
3. Stress Relief
Stretching releases tension in your muscles, promoting a sense of relaxation and reducing stress levels. Something as simple as stretching can reduce stress simply by stopping to listen to your body and be in the moment. It is about taking time to concentrate on something other than stress, like caring for yourself.
4. Better Posture
Morning stretches contribute to better posture, preventing that hunchback office look and keeping you standing tall. Working from home also contributes to poor posture as we sit and work anywhere, often not in a way that is conducive to our health.
We cannot tell you how often we are sitting, criss-cross applesauce on the couch with laptops in our laps. This is not good at all for posture. So, we stretch.
5. Improved Circulation
By getting your blood pumping, stretching supports overall better circulation, benefiting your heart health. As your heart rate increases, your circulation begins to operate a bit more— this is a great thing! This is evident when you literally, warm up from stretching. You will find that the temperature seems a little higher. That’s your blood circulating!
6. Mental Clarity
Stretching is not just for the body; it helps clear your mind, enhancing focus and concentration throughout the day. Your mental health will increasingly become a little better, simply by stretching.
7. Mindful Mindset
Stretching in the morning isn’t just a physical activity or ritual; it’s an opportunity for mindfulness. Taking a few moments to connect with your body and breath can set a mindful tone for the day, fostering a sense of calm and grounding that resonates beyond the morning routine. We often integrate our short mindful meditation with our stretching. Win-win!
8. Muscle Recovery
If you had a workout the day before, morning stretches aid in muscle recovery and can alleviate soreness. We stretch and use our foam roller when we are experiencing super tight muscles. which is SO GOOD!
A foam roller is a game-changer for tight muscles. By utilizing a self-myofascial release, muscle knots begin to break up and release tension in the fascia, the connective tissue around the muscles.
Rolling over tight areas increases blood flow, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and promoting flexibility. It’s a cost-effective and convenient way to keep your muscles happy and flexible, making it a fantastic addition to your routine, especially after your morning activities.
Remember, we are not doctors. Please check with your medical provider before using a foam roller.
9. Enhanced Digestion
Believe it or not, morning stretches can aid in kickstarting your digestive system. Gentle stretches, especially those targeting the abdominal area, can promote positive gut health. Your gut will be kinder to you throughout your day.
10. Mood Booster
Morning stretches trigger the release of endorphins, those feel-good hormones. This natural mood boost can create a positive mindset that lasts throughout the day.
So, before reaching for that cup of coffee, consider adding some stretches to your morning routine for a natural pick-me-up that goes beyond caffeine.
What Does Our Stretching Routine Look Like?
Since we make regular stretching a priority each day, we integrate it into our morning walks, down by the water, first thing. Each session takes only about 10 minutes. If the weather does not permit, these stretches take place in our living room.
Let’s go through our favorite stretches that we couple with deep breathing.
We kick things off with our feet shoulder-width apart. Beginning with a rejuvenating full-body stretch, arms reaching for the sky as we breathe in the crisp, salty air.
Moving into gentle neck rotations and shoulder stretches, we tune into the natural flow around us. Pay attention to how you are feeling, especially with a neck stretch.
Next, we pull our elbows over our heads, one at a time, for a good bicep/tricep stretch.
Leg stretches follow, grounding us as we take in the views of the ocean. We do things like kick our legs onto the railing of the dock and lean into first the right knee, then the left. We also grab our foot and pull it close to our butts, to get a big hamstring stretch.
Positioning our hands behind our backs and leaning toward the floor or ground is how things begin to wrap up. This feels so good between the shoulder blades.
We end our routine with a Cat-Cow pose. Inhale and come into cow post. Exhale and go into cat pose. We repeat this process 5-10 times, depending on our mood or need.
Finally, at the close of our stretching routine, a mindful moment of gratitude. We use this time to feel the connection between body and nature. It’s a simple routine, yet within those 10 minutes, we set the tone for a day filled with energy, flexibility, and a profound appreciation for the adventures that await us.
The time given to our gratitude practice of one of the best benefits of stretching in the morning. It’s like a ray of sunshine.
More on Cat-Cow Pose
The Cat-Cow pose, a fantastic yoga flow, proves to be a wonderful stretching process for toning the gastrointestinal tract. Beyond its digestive benefits, this pose emerges as a go-to remedy for alleviating stress associated with menstrual cramps, lower back pain, and sciatica.
Engaging in the Cat-Cow Pose not only enhances the flexibility of the neck, shoulders, and spine but also unfolds as a comprehensive stretch for the muscles spanning the hips, back, abdomen, chest, and lungs.
It’s a multifaceted movement that not only nurtures digestive well-being but also embraces a holistic approach to overall flexibility and muscle engagement.
Give Morning Stretches a Try
Embracing a few minutes of stretching each morning isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about the small, consistent actions that accumulate into a reservoir of well-being. Stretching is a good way of telling your whole body that you care about it. You just may find that your quality of life improves, simply by making daily life habits to practice self-care like this.
Note, that if it has been a long time since you have stretched, be cautious and take it easy. Your morning stretch routine should be enjoyable, not harmful. The easiest way to start it is to just start.
If you’re prone to joint discomfort, it’s helpful to wear a brace for support while stretching to prevent strain and improve stability as you ease into your day.
Carving out the time for your morning stretching is a form of self-love, a stress reducer, improves energy levels, and is an easy life hack to simplify your life. The positive effects are limitless, but we wanted to tell you what we noticed in our active stretching to start our day.
So, whether you’re a seasoned stretcher or just starting your wellness journey, consider making room for stretches as a part of your morning routine. Even putting it into your daily routine gets your health started on the right foot. No pun intended. Your body, mind, and the future you will thank you for giving the benefits of stretching in the morning.
We are not medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. Please also review terms & conditions for the legal verbiage regarding this.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
The best time is at the start of your day, but the exact time is a personal preference. Some people prefer to do a quick stretch right after waking up. This can help shake off the muscle stiffness from sleep and prepare your body for the day ahead. It’s a low-impact way to ease into your morning routine. You can also integrate stretching into your everyday activities like while you are waiting to pump gas on the way to work, or even while you are waiting on the coffee maker or toaster oven.
Since we are talking about the benefits of stretching in the morning, we did not discuss the night. If you want to incorporate a good stretch routine into your evenings, great! Do it! There are some benefits like releasing muscle tension from your daily activities. It also promotes a sense of relaxation throughout your body. This physical relaxation can translate into a more peaceful state of mind, making it easier to unwind before bedtime. Just be mindful to monitor your sleep quality as your body may be working harder overnight with the stretching which could interfere with a good night’s sleep.
The best thing to do is to consult with your medical provider if you are concerned about pain or the risk of injury that would come from stretching. Any fitness routine, including stretching, can cause muscle imbalances. This blog post is meant to discuss basic stretches for those who can do so.
