Regular stretching can help increase your flexibility, which is crucial for your overall health. Not only can improved flexibility help you to perform everyday activities with relative ease, but it can also help delay the reduced mobility that can come with aging.

Tight muscles can lead to a decrease in your range of motion. In this condition, you increase the likelihood of straining the muscles in your back. Regular proper stretching can also help prevent future back pain by strengthening your back muscles and reducing your risk for muscle strain.

When actively stretching, your muscles' blood flow increases. Improved circulation can shorten your recovery time and can reduce the much-feared delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS).

Poor posture is a result of primarily muscle imbalances, and is a common ailment of or time. Combining both strengthening and stretching specific muscle groups can reduce musculoskeletal pain, which in turn can lead to proper body alignment and better posture.

Muscle tension is a contributor to physical stress. In response to physical and emotional distress, it is a natural inclination for your muscles to tighten up. Focusing your stretching on areas of your body where you tend to hold your stress, such as your neck, shoulders, and upper back will help to improve your stress in the long and short term

The ability to move a joint through its full range of motion gives you more freedom of movement. Stretching with this in mind regularly can help increase your range of motion. This approach to increasing range of motion can be amplified through combining static and dynamic stretching.

Participating in a regular stretching program not only helps increase your flexibility, but it can also calm your mind. While you stretch, focus on mindfulness and meditation exercises, which give your mind a mental break.