Incorporate side bends and stretches every day to feel invigorated and rebalanced!
Stretch Your Body!
Have you ever felt sluggish and maybe a little down? Blood pools in muscles when they stay still, making us feel this way. When we experience these feelings, I believe our bodies are begging us to move.
Even little movements provided by stretching release dopamine, a hormone better known as the feel-good neurotransmitter in our bodies.
Below are a few stretches to try, or better still, do every day!
Uplift your mood by stretching to feel happier and more positive!
Please, listen to your body! We shouldn’t feel pain in any of these stretches. Avoid raising arms if you have shoulder or neck injuries; instead, bring hands to hips or leave arms at your sides.
While lying on your back before getting out of bed:
- Bring your right knee to your chest and hug the knee for 5 seconds. Repeat on the left side.
- Extend your legs and point the toes, visualizing a string pulling your legs/toes to the foot of the bed. Pull toes back, feeling a gentle stretch in your calf muscles. (this can be done in a seated position)
While seated in a chair:
- Slowly and with a full range, roll your shoulders backward ten rolls then forward for another 10.
- Bring arms up overhead, reach for the ceiling, keeping arms stretched, bend slowly from the waist over to the left as far as you can and then to the right 5-10 times each side.
- While looking straight ahead, slowly tip your left ear to the left shoulder; then to the right shoulder.
Bend & Extend
While standing:
- Stand, feet shoulder-width apart, arms by your side. Breath in slowly as you reach both arms toward the sky, palms facing each other, fingers stretched wide. Releasing the breath slowly, bring your arms back to your sides. (repeat three times)
- Next, inhale as you raise your arms; at the top grasp, your right wrist with your left hand and an exhale will press the right hip out to the side, arching over to the left. Keep feet grounded and the legs and buttocks engaged. Reach up and out through the right side-body and top of the head. Do this again on the other side of the body. (repeat three times)
Routinely practicing side bends and stretches will not only revitalize but will lengthen our bodies too. With time, we may even see improvement in breathing capacity, posture, and metabolism.
Happy Body – Happy Life!
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I am an influencer of optimism, positivity & love. By acting on my dreams, I hope to inspire others to do the same. Being where my feet are means that we live in the moment with curiosity, creativity, courage & compassion. Live your happiest, best life. You’ll find resources and stories mostly on subjects like travel, van living, exploring, yoga, and photography on this site. It’s my hope you will be inspired to do something you’ve always wanted to do too. Say YES, take that first step. |
Follow along! Kirsti’s vision is to enjoy life with passion and curiosity. Kirsti Out Wandering aspires to exemplify well-being in mind, body & spirit, giving unconditional love to self and others, and pursuing all of the wild possibilities life serves up while living full-time from a sprinter van. She offers a monthly roundup that includes stories and tips on travel & exploring, van living, self-care, photography and service.