When you wake up in the morning and stretch, you feel a satisfying stretch throughout your whole body. Stretching, which may seem like an unattractive movement, is actually a simple and convenient way to exercise and improve your health. It can be done anytime, anywhere, without any time or space constraints. In addition to relieving fatigue, stretching also promotes blood circulation and maintains heart health, making you feel instantly awake and comfortable.
The correct way to stretch:
1. Forward bend and backward stretch
Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart, hands on your hips, and bend forward and stretch backward at the waist 5 to 10 times.
2. Hip rotation
Stand with your legs slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, hands on your hips, breathe evenly, rotate your hips horizontally clockwise, then counterclockwise, gradually increasing the speed and range of motion. Repeat this movement 10-20 times.
3. Alternating tapping
Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart, legs slightly bent, arms naturally hanging down, semi-clench your fists, rotate your waist to the left and then to the right, at the same time, swing your arms naturally forward and backward with the movement of your waist, and tap your lower back and abdomen alternately with your hands. Adjust the strength as needed. Repeat this motion about 30 times.
The benefits of stretching:
1. It causes strong contractions in most muscles of the body, pushing stagnant blood back to the heart, increasing blood circulation and improving blood flow;
2. It allows blood vessels in the neck to deliver blood to the brain smoothly, ensuring the brain receives sufficient nutrients, thereby relieving fatigue and energizing the mind;
3. It increases oxygen intake and promotes metabolism by exhaling more carbon dioxide;
4. It balances the muscles of the whole body, especially the muscles of the waist, making them gradually stronger and preventing strain;
5. It corrects excessive forward curvature of the spine and helps maintain an attractive physique.
Why does such a simple movement have such magical effects? When stretching, the chest organs exert pressure on the heart and lungs, facilitating the heart's movement and supplying more oxygen to various organs and tissues. At the same time, the movement of the upper limbs and upper body allows more oxygenated blood to be supplied to the brain, making you instantly feel awake and comfortable. Therefore, regularly stretching and moving your limbs is definitely beneficial for relieving fatigue.
