Strain or Stretch

With nicer weather and your new commitment to get active, remember to warm up. As we all get excited this time of year to get outside and start running around and playing sports such as tennis or baseball or simply jogging, we sometimes overlook the fact that we have been less active through the winter months.  When we jump right into a new activity without a proper warm up, we are more likely to strain ourselves and get hurt.

It's so important to take 10 minutes before doing anything active and stretch out your muscles and warm up your body.  Although it seems like a pain, you will regret the time you skip this important step.  Stretching, if done properly, should actually be enjoyable as it is releasing tension and brings attention into your body, which helps relax us from our over active minds (just look at the principles behind yoga).

Depending on your activity, you want to stretch the appropriate muscles.  Here are some general stretches to try, with information on all the benefits .  Make sure you have a warm down routine as well.  Warm ups and warm downs, should not be looked at as a pain, but as a relief.  This important step in exercise needs to be part of your program, if you want to maintain a working and strain free body as you age. So take it up and enjoy your spring and summer, or you will be sitting on the sidelines.