By: Megan Lambert
Everyone knows that improving muscle flexibility enhances joint function, muscle stiffness, and overall mobility.
But, let’s be real. Who actually takes the time to stretch every day?
That’s why we are presenting five simple stretches to do while watching your favorite prime-time TV show. First, perform a few exercises to get your blood flowing to the muscles you are going to stretch. For example, you could do 10 jumping jacks, 10 air squats, and 10 push-ups to warm up your upper and lower body. Then, hold each of the following stretches for at least 30 seconds. Over time, your flexibility and mobility will increase!
- Couch stretch
Bend one leg and place your foot behind you on the couch. Then, take the other leg and place it in front of the body at a 90 degree angle. You should feel the stretch on the front of your hip and thigh. To make the stretch more pronounced, squeeze your glutes.
2. Hamstring stretch
Sit on the floor with one leg bent towards the body and one leg straight out in front of you. Reach toward your toes with both of your hands. Keep reaching until you feel a stretch in the back of your thigh.
3. Back stretch
Kneel on the floor with your arms straight out in front of you. Sit your hips back to your heels to feel the stretch in the large muscles of your back. Slowly reach your hands to one side, feeling a more pronounced stretch on one side of the body and then repeat for the other side.
4. Cat/cow stretch
Kneel on your hands and knees on the ground. For this stretch, slowly arch your back and then round your back to feel a stretch throughout the muscles around your spine. Continue these two movements for at least 30 seconds
5. Chest stretch
Place your forearm on a wall or door frame at a 90 degree angle. Rotate your lower body away from the wall so that you feel a stretch across your chest and the front of your shoulder. Move your forearm up or down the wall to stretch the different areas of the muscle.
