Stretching Goals

One of my weak areas of exercise is stretching. I rarely (nearly never) add extra stretching into my routine. I do the obligatory stretches led by the instructor of whatever class I am doing but tend to wrap up after that. 

I am not entirely sure of what makes me skip a stretching routine, as it is widely known to be a vital component of fitness. A part of it seems to be a mindset of lacking time. Convincing myself that I need to get back to the rest of my day once I've done the class I committed to. But honestly, even 5-10 minutes would be an improvement. I also associate stretching with having to do a whole yoga class, a type of exercise I have struggled to find interest in over the years. Making sure I disconnect the two may be beneficial.

I need to find a way to remind myself of the benefits of stretching. A stretching routine is known to help with more effective and improved workouts as you increase your flexibility and range of motion. It's also a safeguard for your body, decreasing your risk for injury. 

I am beginning to set small goals to put aside an extra 5-10 minutes a couple of times a week to engage in some stretching. In some cases, I also hope to make it a mindfulness practice, taking the time to slow down my body and mind just briefly in these busy days.

January 17, 2022