For someone who enjoyed staying at home more than going out, the idea of quarantine didn’t seem like the biggest deal! Staying home? Easily done! I do that anyways! But then weeks passed and I started to really feel the effects of not moving much and always sitting down or barely walking aside from going to another room just to sit again. Of course, there are home work-outs, but for someone like me who prefers the gym and can’t really work out in my home environment, I started getting concerned about my physical health. At some point, being “lazy” and relaxing started to feel really off for me and I wanted to be able to at least do something, especially now that spring quarter has progressed and I’ve been chained to my laptop even more so with all the assignments and zoom calls. So, what do I do when I feel like moving but not really wanting to move as much? Stretch! Stretching comes with so many benefits for your body and mind and can help you feel more active as opposed to stuck in one place all the time. One of the biggest negative effects of quarantine is stress, especially now that we’re all transitioning to remote classes and working, and some of us may struggle even having that access or just getting by on a daily basis with such a drastic change. According to ACE Fitness, “well-stretched muscles hold less tension” and, therefore, can help you feel less stressed. It’s definitely helped me so far and I’ve felt significantly less cooped up! Another benefit of stretching is that it promotes blood circulation! When we sit all day and don’t move around as much, that makes our bodies static, and therefore decreases blood circulation. The lack of circulation is harmful in the long run. When we stretch, we increase blood circulation to the joints and muscles, which promotes greater nutrient transportation and improves the circulation of blood through your entire body. Being stuck in one place all day is definitely not beneficial for me, and something as simple as stretching can greatly improve this factor. Because I don’t sit at a desk, I’ve opted to do my work on the floor, which makes stretching less complicated. I usually opt for the butterfly position, which is where I bend my knees and lean forward to promote flexibility in the thighs and lower back. Another one I do is simply the seated straddle stretch, where your legs are parted and you just lean forward (which I found super easy and doable for working while stretching). Sometimes I don’t follow a specific stretching routine and just do whatever feels best at the moment --- the key is to keep the body moving in the slightest as opposed to remaining stagnant. It might not feel like a lot is being done, but it does go a long way! Below are some of the stretches I do: I hope this helps in any way and that everyone is safe and healthy! We can do this! All resources from ACEFitness.
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January 2024
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