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benefits of stretching that are surprisingly impactful

9 Benefits Of Stretching That Are Surprisingly Impactful

You don’t have to be a Yogi to focus on flexibility.

by Ashley Jones
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

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If you can work a quick stretch of your arms, legs, shoulders, hips, or back into your daily routine, you may see improved flexibility, stamina, and range of motion over time.

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1. Improved Range Of Motion

Studies show that stretching can improve your joint range of motion. This is extra helpful for moms who have to constantly twist around and reach into the back seat of a minivan.
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2. More Efficient Muscles

If you can optimize every other area of your life, why not include your muscles? Stretching allows your muscles to be as effective as possible, according to The Mayo Clinic, so you’ll reap the maximum benefits of movement.
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3. Increased Overall Flexibility

This seems like a given, but the more you stretch, the more flexible you’ll be overall. As Harvard Health notes, it won’t happen all at once, but over time you’ll see results from daily stretches.

4. Improved Endurance

When you stretch, you can give your body the opportunity to gain better overall endurance for physical activity, as a study published by the American College of Sports Medicine concluded.
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5. Decreased Risk Of Injury

Nobody wants to get hurt, but injuries can happen. Stretching before physical activity can decrease your injury risk, as The Mayo Clinic reported.
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6. Increased Blood Flow To Muscles

Daily stretching can improve blood flow to the muscles and one study in The Journal of Physiology concluded that that leg stretches specifically may even help prevent strokes and lower blood pressure, according to Harvard Health.
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7. Rehabilitate Muscles After Injury

Depending on the type of injury, different stretching techniques can be used to successfully rehabilitate the body, according to a study published in The International Journal Of Sports Physical Therapy.

8. Calms Your Body After A Workout

Sometimes it can take your body a while to wind down from a workout, but as Self reported, stretching can help ease your body out of the activity.
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9. More Restful Sleep

Gentle stretching before bed can improve your sleep quality by preventing pesky middle-of-the-night muscle cramps and relieving tension, as Healthline reported.
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