Stretching Every Day: What Happened When I Tried It

I must confess, I have never been consistent with stretching, even though I know it’s important for a healthy movement practice. I used to stretch regularly as a competitive ballet student, but as I transitioned to other physical activities like running and cycling, stretching fell by the wayside. However, as my body started to ache more and protest during workouts, I knew I needed to reintroduce stretching into my routine. So, I decided to pair stretching with my existing habit of watching TV each night, making it fun and easier to incorporate. Initially, I aimed for longer stretching sessions, but I soon learned that shorter, more frequent stretches throughout the day were just as effective. Additionally, I used to believe that stretching should be painful, but I now understand that pain is a sign of pushing too far. By being flexible with the timing and pairing stretching with other daily habits, I found that my energy increased, and my muscles felt less achy. Finally, I discovered the 30-30 practice, where every 30 minutes, I take a 30-second break to move my body, which has helped with reduced range of motion from sedentary desk work. Overall, I’ve settled into a regular stretching routine that my body craves, and I have seen the positive effects of this simple change in my daily life.