We all know how good can running, lifting weights and healthy eating be for our bodies and all-around health. But there are some forms of exercise that have been shown to be extremely beneficial, yet oddly, aren’t talked about as much. Take stretching, for example. This is something that many people overlook, but it brings a whole host of benefits — and is also extremely easy. Anyone can do it, wherever they are!

Increase your flexibility

Your body is not going to stay elastic on its own. You have to work on helping it retain its elasticity. And a great way to do that? You guessed it — stretching! After making stretching a part of your routine, you’ll find that your body feels more fluid than it used to. There are long-term advantages, too. For example, stretching has been shown to combat the reduced mobility that is normally present in older people. 

Increase performance

If you like physical activity, then it’s normal that you’d want to just dive straight into the activity when given a chance. However, there’s a lot of value in spending 5-10 minutes warming up, by stretching. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for your body to get warm before you hit your peak level. 

Prevent injury

Not only will stretching help to increase your performance levels, it’ll also help reduce the likelihood of having an injury. Most injuries happen because the body isn’t as elastic as it should be: instead of stretching, the body just succumbs to an injury. So you should stretch before you play. And stretching doesn’t just prevent injuries, either; it can also help manage pain. Stretching is part of plantar fasciitis treatment, for instance. The verdict from your body is pretty clear: it wants you to stretch. And it takes next to no time. 

Boost your posture

There are many ways to improve your posture, including stretching. If you’re stretching and working your muscles, then you’ll be promoting correct posture by bolstering your body’s alignment. This is something that you’ll only notice over a long period of time, and isn’t something that you’ll notice overnight.

With all that evidence, it’s pretty clear that we should all be spending 5 minutes each month stretching our bodies. It’s easy to do, and you’ll get a whole host of short- and long-term benefits, too.