Stretching is good for us. The effects of gentle movement, like yoga, can make tired muscles feel loose and limber. However, finding the time to stretch can be difficult and it may be one of the things that falls to the bottom of the to-do list.
If that's the case, try this five-minute yoga routine that you can do from bed and which yoga instructor Austin Mad recently shared on social media.
It's normal to feel stiff and achy when you wake, as your body has been static for a long time. Stretching first thing will help you feel more energized and help reduce stiffness you may experience later in the day, particularly if you have a desk job.
How to do this five-minute yoga-from-bed routine
You don't need any equipment to do these stretches and because they're all done from a seated or lying position, you can do them on your mattress.
The benefits of regular stretching
The stretches in this routine will improve flexibility and help your muscles and joints feel looser and more mobile, and they could also positively affect your mood and energy levels.
A 2019 study published in the Journal of Perceptual and Motor Skills found that stretching improved cognitive function and mood when compared to periods of static rest. So, despite the gentle nature of this type of movement, it can have a big effect.
Gentle movement is especially helpful if you spend a lot of time sitting down, working a desk job, for example. Excessive sitting can weaken certain muscles, such as the glutes and the core, and shorten muscles like hip flexors. Adding regular stretching to your routine can help reduce the extent of this damage.
