Today Sally and I talk about the benefits of Flexibility and Mobility. This supports our current and future health and well-being. Ponder a moment, where would you be without fluid balance co-ordination and movement? It’s easy to incorporate into your everyday life and helps to keep you to be accident-free, to feel young and awesome. It’s an important topic and to learn more, watch us below
Flexibility protects from chronic pain
I see so many people hobble into our clinics with lower back pain. They look much older than their age and they are definitely not having fun. As the chart below half of the population experiences musculoskeletal pain – think muscles, ligaments, and bones. Much of these injuries can be avoided if you stay flexible as part of an active lifestyle.
If you can remain flexible, this can support your balance and reduce your risk of a sports injury or a fall as you age.
Benefits of staying flexible
- Reduced risk of sport injuries
- Imporved balance
- Reduced risk of falls and fractures in old age
- Reduced risk if lower back pain
- Freedom of movement
- Preserve independence
- improved resilience
Risk factors for musculoskeletal pain
- Age
- Weight
- Fitness
- Skill
A tree survives because
My dear father gave me some advice on the eve of my marriage four decades ago. He said, “A tree survives in the wind only because it bends. If it were rigid, it would snap at the first strong gust.” I treasure this wise advice both for the benefits to my marriage and to my physical wellbeing.
How do I stay fit flexible and fabulous?
- No, I don’t go to the gym. Instead, I run up and down every set of stairs I come across, whenever it is possible to do this.
- Every day starts with twenty push-ups before my shower. This maintains core muscle strength. NO excuses, unless I have a headache which is rare
- I walk after lunch to get my circulation up and maintain vitamin D. It also helps with digestion.
How best to Stretch?
The current advice from the Harvard Medical School is to stretch after five-ten minutes of gentle exercise. By then your muscles are warm and more flexible. Stretch only until you feel a gentle pressure.
If you can hold a stretch position for 30 seconds or longer, this educates the muscle or tendon to lengthen which delivers you maximum flexibility for your effort.
Another useful resource from Jen reviews is a list of the eleven most effective flexibility exercises which you can find here.
My top three tips to stay flexible
- Pick a time of day when you find it convenient to stretch (I suggest beginning or the end of the day)
- Commit to a daily stretching practice without any excuses
- Be gentle on your body, stretch till you feel the pressure and the breathe into the experience
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To find out more about what Sally Estlin does, head here