Consider what it takes to live a healthy life. Diet, exercise or perhaps even a relaxing hobby might come to mind. While eating right and hopping on the treadmill can do you plenty of good, many fail to realize that the human body isn’t always ready for action and that keeping it primed is a crucial step to leading a healthier life. It may seem like a small change to make, but stretching can ensure your body is ready for the day and may even improve your appearance!
Revitalize
Not a morning person? It can certainly be a struggle to drag yourself out of bed to go to work, but every day doesn’t have to start out on the wrong foot. Stretching in the morning loosens your stiff, tense muscles and boosts your energy levels so you feel prepared to tackle the day ahead. You can finally show up to work alert and in a good mood with this small change to your morning routine. Stretching is also a great way to get over the mid-afternoon slump. When you start to feel tired or sluggish, stretch at your desk. You’d be surprised how energized you can feel afterwards.
Pain Relief
Back, neck and shoulder aches are all too common. Whether it’s due to your bed or your job, sometimes your muscles tighten and leave you feeling miserable for days or weeks. Relax and unwind those tight muscles with a thorough stretching routine. Stretching slowly forces the muscles to relax and expand, loosening knots and calming tense muscle groups. You may even want to work in some massaging for particularly stubborn areas. Stretching before strenuous activity can also help prevent soreness and injury later.
Stress Relief
When we’re stressed, our bodies tense up as part of the fight-or-flight response. When you aren’t in danger of being eaten by a lion, though, this tension can cause pain and muscle problems. Just as stress causes tension, forcing your body to relax by stretching could also ease or eliminate stress. Stretching also releases endorphins that make you happier and calmer, so it’s a great pre-bed ritual to adopt to promote a better night’s sleep if you often lie awake thinking about your stressors.
Blood Circulation
Stretching opens up your muscles and increases the blood flow within them, facilitating post-workout muscle repair and fighting off exhaustion. What’s more, increased blood circulation will improve organ function in all areas of your body, including the brain. This can boost your alertness and help you problem-solve. With better blood flow, your body can extract more oxygen from your blood, which can help improve your athletic ability. Better blood circulation also decreases the appearance of dark circles under your eyes and brightens your skin.
Make Your Passion for Beauty a Career at Houston Training Schools
Health and beauty are often deeply intertwined, with a change in one directly affecting the other. If you’re fascinated with the effects your health can have on beauty and want to assist others in improving both, a career in cosmetology may be for you. To learn more about our degree programs and campus locations, contact us at 877-640-4747 today!
