Why Does Stretching Feel Good? The Benefits Of Stretching

Key Takeaways

  • Stretching is a physical activity that helps increase muscle and joint flexibility. Read on to see how to do simple daily stretches!
  • Though we all know stretching is an excellent way to benefit your health, but why does stretching feel so good? Keep reading to find out!

Why Does Stretching Feel Good?

Many people misconceive that stretching is the final step of a gym day. But the truth is, it is not limited to after-workouts but should be done at any time of the day. Sitting and standing at work for long hours or even mental stress can cause muscles to tighten, while stretching is definitely a way to release these tensions.

But why does it feel good to stretch? Here are some of our body's ways of soothing and returning to the most stable state after stretching:

Improved Circulation

Stretching is extending the joints and muscle groups in the body. At the part you're stretching, blood can circulate more efficiently and carry oxygen and nutrients to each muscle group. Subsequently, it helps muscle recovery quickly and makes you feel lighter.

Additionally, it allows your body to remove metabolic wastes, opening the way for oxygen-rich blood to flow smoothly through the cells, helping to soothe fatigue, relieve stress, and refresh energy for later activities in the day.

why does it feel good to stretch

Stretching can boost circulation.

Parasympathetic Activation

Why does stretching feel good? It triggers the Parasympathetic—a "resting" nervous system—helping us slow down and regenerate energy. Activating this system can also slow down our heart rate, drop blood pressure, and stimulate the digestive system's functions, creating peace and comfort.

Stretching is a perfect way to kick off this system. Expanding your muscles helps release relaxing hormones such as serotonin while reducing cortisol, the stress hormone. Then, your body will turn on the switch of recovery and rest, making you feel more calm and relaxed.

Endorphin Release

As we all know, endorphins are our natural "happy chemicals" or "reward systems," generating excitement and euphoria during a workout. How about when we're cooling down or warming up with stretching? Definitely.

Stretching does not only aid your physical health but also unlocks pleasure. Anxiety and stress will disappear, giving way to the small but powerful joy that endorphins bring. Next time you wonder why stretching feels so good, it is because of your incredible natural reward - endorphin.

Increased Flexibility

While stiffness can lead to muscle fatigue, tension, and a higher risk of injuries like strains or ligament tears, stretching is a good solution to improve our body's flexibility and help joints work full range of motion.

Stretching is a simple yet effective method for becoming more flexible, especially for people with a sedentary lifestyle. Just a few minutes of stretching each day can make a noticeable difference, helping you feel more agile with less pain in joints and muscles.

stretching feels so good

Enhance the body's flexibility with stretching.

Improved Circulation

Physical activities can tighten, over-contract, stress, and disorganize muscle fibers. Stretching helps loosen tight muscles and realign tissue, allowing them to heal properly. Otherwise, your muscles are prone to strain, tear, and shortened motion range.

Stretching also balances the opposing muscle groups, such as the front and back muscles, thereby correcting the deviation and restoring the body posture. As a result, it reduces the risk of injury due to muscle tension or joint dislocation.

Stress Relief

Stress can cause muscle soreness. Meanwhile, stretching reduces muscle tension, increases the hormone serotonin, stabilizes mood, and makes us feel good. That's the reason why stretching feels so good.

A study by experts in Brazil showed that people with chronic insomnia improved their sleep quality and reduced anxiety after consistently stretching three times a week for four months. The study also revealed that people who engaged in 10 minutes of stretching after work experienced lower anxiety levels compared to those who didn't.

Better Sports Performance

Many trainers recommend pulling and leaning the body before workouts. These exercises prepare muscles for intense activity and maximize flexibility in the hips, shoulders, and ankles, boosting sports performance.

According to a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research Public Health, people who performed pre-workout stretching for 15 minutes prevented injury while significantly reducing low back pain.

does stretching help with sore muscles

Maximize exercise capability with pre-workout stretches.

Improved Posture

Another reason to ask, "Why does stretching feel good?" is that it can help correct posture by reducing muscle stiffness and improving flexibility, particularly in areas affected by prolonged poor posture.

Sitting incorrectly for extended periods can cause slouching or leaning back. For example, when stretching your back and shoulders, your body can relax, quickly straighten up, and no longer pull forward. Similarly, hip and leg stretching adjusts the position of the pelvis, therefore maintaining a proper posture.

Simple Daily Stretches

With the benefits discussed above, we all understand why stretching feels so good and how stretching changes your muscles. So why not spend more time, just a few minutes, to stretch? Let your body relax and enjoy the feeling of comfort with this easy-to-do movement:

Forward Bend

Forward bend is a series of movements specializing in the back, groin, and hamstring muscles. To do this stretch correctly, you can follow these steps:

Standing versions

  • Stand straight with hip-width feet, keeping your back and body relaxed.
  • Slowly lower your upper body, touching your hands to the floor or resting them on your feet, shins, or ankles.
  • Hold the forward bend for 40 to 60 seconds, breathing deeply and feeling the stretch.
  • Then, return to the starting position by slowly lifting yourself back up to standing. Beginning with your hips and then your back, your head is the last part to lift.

Sitting versions

  • Sit on a yoga mat or flat floor. Keep your legs together, toes pointing up. Straighten your back and relax your shoulders and neck.
  • Raise both arms straight to the ceiling with a deep breath.
  • Move forward from your hips slowly and touch your feet with your hands.
  • Hold this position for 40 to 60 seconds or longer if you feel comfortable.
  • Return to the original sitting position. Lower your arms gently and breathe evenly.
why does stretching feel good when sore

Forward bend standing and sitting stretch versions.

Seated Torso Stretch

Torso Twist is an easy stretch that makes your spine, back, and hips more resilient, especially for workers who sit at their office desks for a long time. Here is how to do this pose:

  • Sit with a straight back on your chair, a yoga mat, and relaxed shoulders and arms.
  • Slowly rotate your upper body (back and shoulders) to the right.
  • Put your left hand on your right knee and hold the pose for 30 to 40 seconds.
  • Then, inhale and come back to the center.
  • Repeat the stretch for the left side.
does stretching help body aches

Cobra Pose

Cobra Pose is a favored pose in yoga that strengthens the back, chest, and shoulders and relieves back pain. Here is how to do this stretch:

  • Lie face down on a yoga mat.
  • Put your hands in front of your chest, parallel to your body.
  • Gradually lift your chest and upper body off the floor to the highest angle in your capacity.
  • Keep your spine long without excessively arching your lower back, then hold for 30 to 60 seconds.
  • Slowly lie down, relax your body, and repeat 2-3 times.
why does it feel so good when you stretch

Cobra stretching pose

Neck Rolls

Neck Rolls are a simple yet effective stretch to relieve neck tension and pain and increase blood flow in the neck and shoulder area. Here are easy steps to do it:

  • Starting with sitting or standing up straight.
  • Then gently tilting your head forward, allowing your chin to lightly touch your chest.
  • Slowly rotate your head in a circular motion; begin at the right, move to the back, tilt to the left, and finally return to the chin-to-chest position.
  • Repeat with the opposite rotation round.
  • Do each rotation 3–5 times. When finished, return to a seated or standing position.
why does stretching hurt but feel good

Low Lunge

Stretching the hip muscles with a low lunge avoids uncomfortable hip soreness after performing hip swings or waist-twisting movements. To do this, you need to:

  • Standing on a flat surface (floor or yoga mat).
  • Step your right foot forward with your right knee directly over your right ankle at a 90-degree angle.
  • Left knee touches the floor, left foot instep, keeping your left leg straight and hips facing forward.
  • Stretch your left hip and thigh by lowering your hips.
  • Hold this lunge position for 30 to 40 seconds and then return to the standing point.
  • Repeat with your left leg stepping forward and your right knee touching the floor.
how stretching changes your muscles

Low lunge stretching pose

Tips For Stretching Safely

Suppose you wonder, "Why does stretching feel good?" and how to do it safely. Here are some tips for you:

  • Just like yoga, stretching poses should be done slowly and gently for a sufficient amount of time. This limits muscle tension and unwanted injuries.
  • Do not lock your joints when stretching. Keep the joints slightly bent to reduce stress.
  • Pay attention to breathing regularly throughout the exercise. Breathe rhythmically, and you can take deep breaths to relax your mind, helping your body feel more comfortable.
  • If you have just undergone joint or bone surgery, be careful when you stretch.
  • If you feel pain, stop immediately. To prevent health risks, it would help if you did not go beyond your tolerance.
why does stretching feel good

Stretches should be done with a slow and gentle pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should we do daily stretching?

As previously discussed, with many science-proven reasons why stretching feels so good, this activity has plenty of significant pain-relieving effects, strengthening physical and mental health. Your body and mind will thank you for doing this consistently for a certain period.

The wonderful thing is that you don't have to wait until you finish exercising to stretch. You can stretch at any time, such as in the morning, at dinner time with your family, during stressful working hours, or even before bed. Every stretching moment allows you to listen to your body, understand it, and give it the necessary attention.

I have a headache. Can stretching help?

Headaches often occur when your neck and shoulder muscles tighten and put pressure on the surrounding nerves. Stretching helps relax these muscles, substantially reduces tension, improves blood circulation, and relieves headaches. Some stretches you can try out to alleviate muscle tension and stress headaches are:

  • Neck rolls
  • Shoulder shrugs
  • Child's pose
  • Seated forward bend
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