Here’s how to do them.
Also, Brannigan says the benefits of doing certain stretches in the morning arent just physical.
In other words, the benefits of stretching in the morning areplenty.
11 of the Best Morning Stretches To Do When You Get Out of Bed
1.
This stretch helps alleviate pain in a very common area, says Brannigan.
Hold the stretch for two seconds, return to the neutral position, and repeat 10 times per side.
When the trap muscle becomes tense or tight, it will greatly restrict the movement throughout this area.
With that in mind, this stretch is meant to relieve shoulder, upper-back, and neck pain.
And, as an added bonus, it is purported to support improved posture.
Hold that stretch for two seconds, return to neutral, and repeat 10 times on each side.
How to do it:Sit in a chair with your knees open and feet flat on the floor.
Straighten your spine and then drop the chin toward the chest.
program director atStretchd*
Keep the chin tucked to the chest as you fall forward.
Hinge at your hips and fold forward reaching your arms out long, Decker says.
From there, walk your hands to the left, bringing your chest over your left knee.
Hold the stretch for 30 seconds while taking deep diaphragmatic breaths.
Then walk your hands back to the center, switch legs, and repeat on the other side.
Foot and Calf Stretch
Dont forget to give your calves some love too.
Grab a stretching strap if you have one on hand.
A dog leash, towel, or resistance band will also do the trick.
How to do it:Get into a seated position with one leg out in front of you.
Use a stretch strap to wrap the strap around the pad of your foot, Decker says.
Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds and then repeat on the other leg.
For that reason, she says its important to stretch the muscle to help release tension and improve posture.
Youll feel the pull for this stretch through your hip flexor and maybe a little on your quad.
Hold the stretch for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side.
Chest Opener Stretch
Sitting down all day is not the best.
Still, many of us are guilty of the habit.
This chest opener will help combat that tightens.
Youll need a strap for this one, too.
Hold the stretch for 30 seconds while taking deep breaths.
Decker says this moving stretch will help create mobility through the spine.
Then, roll over and repeat the stretch on the other side.
Childs Pose Stretch
Stretching can be a meditative practice and childs pose is the perfect example.
Decker says these are the most common areas our bodies tend to hold tightness.
Sit in the position for 30 seconds to a minute.
Pigeon Stretch
The pigeon stretch is another opportunity to unwind and breathe, while releasing tension in the hips.
Decker notes there are two variations depending on how deep of a stretch youre going for.
Keep your hips square and chest up tall to start.
If youre feeling the stretch here, you could hold here.
Hold for 30 seconds to a minute.
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