{"id":5440,"date":"2020-06-19T17:12:05","date_gmt":"2020-06-19T17:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=5440"},"modified":"2025-07-11T19:09:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T19:09:59","slug":"why-does-stretching-feel-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Why_Do_We_Stretch\" >Why Do We Stretch?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Is_Stretching_Good_for_You\" >Is Stretching Good for You?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Stretching_Benefits_Why_You_Should_Take_the_Time_to_Stretch_at_Least_Once_a_Day\" >Stretching Benefits: Why You Should Take the Time to Stretch at Least Once a Day<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Helps_maintain_muscle_health\" >Helps maintain muscle health<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#May_reduce_injuries\" >May reduce injuries<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Can_improve_flexibility\" >Can improve flexibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Release_of_endorphins\" >Release of endorphins<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Promotes_a_feeling_of_relaxation\" >Promotes a feeling of relaxation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Reduce_the_level_of_stress\" >Reduce the level of stress<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Improved_blood_circulation\" >Improved blood circulation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#May_help_with_muscle_growth\" >May help with muscle growth<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Why_Is_Flexibility_Important\" >Why Is Flexibility Important?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Mistakes_to_Avoid_During_Stretching\" >Mistakes to Avoid During Stretching<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Not_paying_attention_to_how_your_body_feels\" >Not paying attention to how your body feels<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Dont_forget_to_breathe\" >Don\u2019t forget to breathe\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Not_balancing_your_stretches\" >Not balancing your stretches<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Rushing_through_the_stretches\" >Rushing through the stretches<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Ignoring_the_mind-muscle_connection\" >Ignoring the mind-muscle connection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Not_stretching_the_muscles_you_use_the_most\" >Not stretching the muscles you use the most<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Why_does_stretching_feel_good_when_youre_tired_and_in_the_morning\" >Why does stretching feel good when you\u2019re tired and in the morning?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#How_often_should_you_stretch\" >How often should you stretch?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#Does_stretching_release_toxins\" >Does stretching release toxins?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#How_long_does_it_take_to_see_results_from_stretching\" >How long does it take to see results from stretching?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you ever noticed how professional athletes stretch before they sprint out onto the field or pick up a tennis racket and start killing it on the court? It\u2019s only natural, as stretching is of great importance when it comes to maintaining a healthy body and toned muscles. If you\u2019re familiar with yoga and Pilates, then you probably know that a lot of the poses and workouts are based on and include a lot of stretches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;&lt;a href=&quot;&quot;https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good&quot;&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;video autoplay=&quot;autoplay&quot; loop=&quot;loop&quot; muted=&quot;muted&quot; playsinline=&quot;playsinline&quot; width=&quot;777&quot;&gt;&lt;source src=&quot;&quot;https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4&quot;&quot; type=&quot;video\/mp4&quot; \/&gt;&lt;\/video&gt;&lt;\/a&gt;&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:256,&quot;11&quot;:3}\" data-sheets-formula=\"=replace(R[-12]C[0],SEARCH(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;,R[-12]C[0]),LEN(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;),R8C[0])\"><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardio and weightlifting are mostly focused on dynamic movements, but avid supporters of these fitness approaches don\u2019t miss the chance to incorporate some stretching into their exercise plans. Why? Because stretching improves flexibility and range of motion, benefits your posture, releases tension, relieves stress, and centers your mind.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to stretching as part of a workout, stretching in everyday life, either first thing in the morning or to fight off the desire to drift off in the middle of the day, leads to a pleasant and refreshing feeling that comes over you like a wave. But have you ever wondered \u201cWhy does stretching feel so good?\u201d If you have, then this article is all you need to find the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Do_We_Stretch\"><\/span><b>Why Do We Stretch?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stretching comes in two main forms, voluntary and involuntary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The latter, also known as pandiculation, is an involuntary stretch of the soft tissues that is largely associated with the sleep-wake rhythm (aka circadian rhythm). Have you ever seen a dog or a cat arch their back when they get up from a nap? That is pandiculation. This involuntary stretching is often accompanied by yawning, which experts say resets the central nervous system to a \u2018wake-up state\u2019, preparing you to respond to environmental stimuli. We don\u2019t always do it, but you\u2019ll know it&#8217;s happening to you if you find yourself stretching your arms and legs and yawning before you get out of bed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts also believe that involuntary stretching auto-regulates the locomotor system <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span>your bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, cartilage, and other connective tissue<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">),<\/span> which helps you maintain the ability to express coordinated and integrated movement <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21665102\/\">14<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Voluntary stretching is something we do consciously, and the reason why you may choose to do so varies from person to person. It has many benefits, including the potential to increase flexibility and range of motion, reduce pain and stress, and reduce muscle tension.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Stretching_Good_for_You\"><\/span><b>Is Stretching Good for You?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, absolutely. Whether it\u2019s done consciously or involuntarily, the power of stretching goes beyond what many of us can even imagine. Let\u2019s take a minute to further explore the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/benefits-of-stretching\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> benefits of stretching<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> voluntarily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stretching_Benefits_Why_You_Should_Take_the_Time_to_Stretch_at_Least_Once_a_Day\"><\/span><b>Stretching Benefits: Why You Should Take the Time to Stretch at Least Once a Day<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pandiculation aside, we all know that stretching feels quite good. But are there any benefits to taking 5 or 10 minutes of your day to actively stretch your body and muscles? Does this simple act offer more than a fleeting feeling of relief? Here are some scientifically proven benefits of stretching that may convince you to add a stretching routine to your daily life:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Helps_maintain_muscle_health\"><\/span><b>Helps maintain muscle health<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps the most important function of regular stretching is keeping your muscles strong, lean, and healthy. If you avoid stretching, your muscles will eventually stiffen and shorten.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Short muscles are less prepared to react quickly as you move in different positions, and excessive forces on the muscle fibers, joints, and tendons may occur, putting you at a greater risk for injury. Range of motion is essential for you to move about safely, and stretching can combat and prevent muscle stiffness (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/37231582\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and maintain your muscle health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Intense sweat sessions, working weight loss tips, lip-smacking recipes come in one package with the BetterMe app. And all of it is at your fingertips, <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good\">start transforming your life now! <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"May_reduce_injuries\"><\/span><b>May reduce injuries<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The debate on whether stretching can reduce the risk of injuries, particularly during sports and other physical activities, remains a hot topic and has not received a conclusive answer. While some evidence indicates that stretching can reduce injury risk (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1250267\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), more recent data has demonstrated little to no effect on injury prevention (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/24100287\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Although no conclusive answer has been reached, we can say that if it\u2019s done safely and alongside strengthening exercises, stretching can help you move safely and prevent future injuries. In a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (the most rigorous type of clinical trials) for interventions aimed at reducing hamstring injuries, the authors found stretching interventions reduced impairments in flexibility, which is a known risk factor for hamstring injuries (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35384731\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Our recommendation is to engage in some stretching before any workout, sporting activity, or strenuous task as it m<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ay reduce muscle soreness and boost recovery<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you tend to struggle with muscle stiffness and soreness after a workout, a post-workout stretch could be exactly what you need to reduce this effect and the pain associated with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-30039 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/7-1.png\" alt=\"why does stretching feel good\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good\">\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a review published in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2011, researchers stated that the act of post-exercise stretching showed reduced soreness from half a day to three days, and even as much as a week after the exercise activity was done. However, it should be noted that the researchers also stated that these results were not clinically important reductions &#8211; basically, the effects were very small (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21735398\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is sometimes challenging to see very large effects in these exercises and stretching scientific studies due to inter-individual variability. Basically, we are all so different, so what works for one person may not work for another in the same exact way. But what these studies typically show is that the inter-individual effect is stable, which means that when something works, it really works! The best way to find out is to try it. The most valuable thing is to find out if stretching relieves our pain, and then it can become a tool in our toolkit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A clinical commentary published in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">showed that this activity is also used as part of rehabilitation programs for treating certain injuries. Different stretches are also used in physical therapy sessions to reduce or alleviate shoulder, back, neck, or knee pain (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3273886\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_improve_flexibility\"><\/span><b>Can improve flexibility<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flexibility refers to the range of motion of your muscles and the connective tissues at a joint or group of joints. Being flexible helps your body move and bend with ease, which allows freedom of movement in everyday activities, in addition to in sports and other athletic feats (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/flexibility-exercise-stretching\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK241323\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flexibility has also been proven to help prevent and relieve lower-back pain, prevent musculoskeletal injury, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/exercises-to-improve-posture\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">improve posture<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK241323\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). In a study published in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International Journal of Exercise Science<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in early 2023, researchers found stretching to be associated with significant improvements in flexibility and the range of movement in the muscles and joints (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC10124737\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Release_of_endorphins\"><\/span><b>Release of endorphins<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may not think of it in this way, but stretching is a form of exercise, albeit a low-impact type. According to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harvard Health,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> physical exercise can help alleviate mental stress (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/exercising-to-relax\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But how can stretching help to relieve stress? When you work out, you help your body reduce the stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol. This action stimulates the production and release of endorphins (i.e., the body\u2019s feel-good hormones that reduce pain and boost mood) (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/exercising-to-relax\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A review published in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brain Plasticity<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> journal in 2017 showed that exercise improves mood states and decreases stress levels in humans (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5928534\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). So, the next time you wonder \u201cwhy does stretching feel so good?\u201d you should think back to the mood-boosting abilities of the endorphins hormones triggered by all forms of physical exercise, including stretching. Also, if you ever need a quick pick-me-up, a few minutes of stretching may be all you need to feel better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><strong>Read more: <\/strong><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/stretching-calisthenics\/\"><i>This Stretching Calisthenics Routine Will Have You Loose and Limber for Your Next Workout<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Promotes_a_feeling_of_relaxation\"><\/span><b>Promotes a feeling of relaxation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies have shown <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/static-stretching\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">static stretching<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, a network of nerves that is responsible for helping the body relax, rest, and digest. When you stretch, the nerves in your muscles send signals to your brain, stimulating the parasympathetic system and triggering a pleasant feeling of relaxation (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/274517864_Acute_Changes_in_Autonomic_Nerve_Activity_during_Passive_Static_Stretching\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1890351\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reduce_the_level_of_stress\"><\/span><b>Reduce the level of stress<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stretching is not only good for your body, it\u2019s also highly beneficial for your mind. When you stretch, you relax and concentrate on the process, your technique, breathing, and sensations.\u00a0 There\u2019s a lot of value in focusing on your body and its responses (sensations, breathing) and taking a break from focusing on your thoughts, which many times are concerned with the past, future, or worries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It calms you down and clears your mind of any unnecessary worrying and irritation, reducing stress and promoting a mental balance. This is also one of the reasons why a lot of yoga practices involve stretching as a part of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">meditation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a study published in 2023, researchers found stretching to increase brain activity related to positive emotions, which was hypothesized to contribute to a relaxed state (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1424-8220\/23\/15\/6890\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The more relaxed you are, the less stressed you\u2019ll feel. Focusing on your body keeps you in the present moment, which can help clear your mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brainwave analysis during this study showed that stretching increased brain activity that is normally seen during self-reflection (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1424-8220\/23\/15\/6890\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). This could indicate the role of stretching in helping you deal with stress and improve resilience in stressful situations (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/smi.3311\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improved_blood_circulation\"><\/span><b>Improved blood circulation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An article published in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Journal of Physiology<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found a 12-week brief leg stretching program 5 days a week to be associated with improved circulation throughout the body. The authors found that the arteries in the legs had better blood flow and less stiffness. At the end of the study, participants also had lower blood pressure (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/epdf\/10.1113\/JP279866\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"May_help_with_muscle_growth\"><\/span><b>May help with muscle growth<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is widely known that micro-tears in muscles after a workout help the muscles grow, but did you know that stretching can help with the same? Stretching is not something we often associate with muscle growth, but it may just help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to a review published in 2020 in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> journal, researchers noted that stretching with a certain degree of strain\u2014particularly when loaded or added between active muscle contractions\u2014may elicit muscle hypertrophy. However, more research is required due to limited evidence (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31984621\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Whether you\u2019re looking to simply pep up your fitness routine, jazz up your diet with mouth-watering low-calorie recipes or want to get your act together and significantly drop that number on your scale \u2013 BetterMe app has got you covered! <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good\">Improve your body <\/a> and revamp your life with us!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_Flexibility_Important\"><\/span><b>Why Is Flexibility Important?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously stated, flexibility increases the range of motion of your muscles and their connecting joints, which allows you freedom of movement. Being flexible also reduces the risk of lower-back pain and can offer relief for those who suffer from it. Flexibility also helps prevent musculoskeletal injury and improves posture (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK241323\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-30039 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10-1.png\" alt=\"why does stretching feel good\" \/>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mistakes_to_Avoid_During_Stretching\"><\/span><b>Mistakes to Avoid During Stretching<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although stretching can make you feel refreshed and relaxed while improving your muscle and joint health, it\u2019s important to ensure good form, pay careful attention to your body, and perform all exercises properly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A negligent approach and lack of patience can have certain negative consequences, such as potential injuries, pain, or even muscle tears. Here are some mistakes to avoid when stretching:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Not_paying_attention_to_how_your_body_feels\"><\/span><b>Not paying attention to how your body feels<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously mentioned, stretching is an exercise like any other and should be treated as such. You don\u2019t insist on running if your feet hurt or lifting heavy weights if your arms hurt or if the weights are too heavy for you. The same should apply to stretching.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t push a stretch to a point your body can\u2019t handle. Remember that while some discomfort is okay, shooting pains are not. The flexibility of gymnasts and yoga gurus cannot be achieved in a day &#8211; it takes years &#8211; so start slow and gradually build up your flexibility. Don\u2019t force it, or you\u2019ll injure yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_forget_to_breathe\"><\/span><b>Don\u2019t forget to breathe\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember to breathe regularly and don\u2019t hold your breath when stretching. Proper breathing can help you relax and facilitate blood flow throughout the body. Try to take slow breaths, exhaling while the muscle is stretching and inhaling when you return to your initial position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Not_balancing_your_stretches\"><\/span><b>Not balancing your stretches<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the same way you don\u2019t exercise the right side of the body and leave the left, you shouldn\u2019t stretch one side and leave the other. Always aim for symmetry &#8211; whichever stretch you do on the left, do the same on the right and for the same amount of time. But keep in mind that one side may feel tighter than the other, which is completely normal. Take note of your observations and feelings. With regular practice, you\u2019ll notice an improvement over time. Failure to do this may result in injury.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rushing_through_the_stretches\"><\/span><b>Rushing through the stretches<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you are a bit short of time and want to get to your workout as quickly as possible, you should never skip or rush your stretches. Always take the time to stretch well, and if you\u2019re restricted by time limits, it\u2019s best to take out one set of exercises and replace it with stretches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to a 2012 study, you should hold your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/static-stretches\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">static stretches<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for 15 to 30 seconds (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3273886\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). However, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harvard Health Publishing <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">states that stretching for 60 seconds provides optimal results (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/the-ideal-stretching-routine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). When going through your list of the best morning stretches, perform each stretch for 15 to 60 seconds &#8211; pay attention to how your body reacts and adjust the time spent per stretch accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ignoring_the_mind-muscle_connection\"><\/span><b>Ignoring the mind-muscle connection<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When talking about the mind-muscle connection, we often think of weightlifting as this practice helps focus on muscle contraction, which ultimately leads to better muscle growth and strength. However, the mind-muscle connection can also be used in stretching. When you focus on the muscle you\u2019re stretching, you can target it better, which can help with better stretching and flexibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Not_stretching_the_muscles_you_use_the_most\"><\/span><b>Not stretching the muscles you use the most<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stretching can be performed before and after a workout and also as a workout by itself. When stretching immediately before a workout, we suggest that you give the most time and attention to the muscles you\u2019ll be using the most during your exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you\u2019re planning to go for a run, you should target your feet, calves, hamstrings, glutes, quads, and hip flexors, while a warm-up before a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/stretching-for-swimmers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">swimming<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> session should incorporate all major muscle groups, from arms and shoulders to calves and hamstrings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the workout, make sure you stretch these muscles too. This will help build a healthy habit that keeps your muscles in tip-top shape. If you\u2019re doing stretching exercises as a separate workout, always stretch the muscles that hurt the most, but don\u2019t overdo it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><strong>Read more: <\/strong><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/somatic-stretching\/\"><i>Somatic Stretching &#8211; Build Your Body Awareness Through a Soothing Motion<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-30039 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/11.png\" alt=\"why does stretching feel good\" \/>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span><b>FAQs<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_stretching_feel_good_when_youre_tired_and_in_the_morning\"><\/span><strong>Why does stretching feel good when you\u2019re tired and in the morning?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously stated, involuntary stretching &#8211; which we often do subconsciously in the morning and when tired &#8211; helps reset the circadian rhythm and in a way, helps you wake up. Stretching is also a form of physical activity that can trigger the release of endorphins &#8211; hormones that are associated with feelings of pleasure and exercise-induced euphoria and also help with pain relief (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK470306\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_often_should_you_stretch\"><\/span><strong>How often should you stretch?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a beginner, you can stretch 2 to 3 times a week for between 5 and 10 minutes. However, the more you stretch, the better results you\u2019ll see. For the best results, you should do stretches on most days for 10 to 60 minutes (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC10124737\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_stretching_release_toxins\"><\/span><strong>Does stretching release toxins?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, it doesn\u2019t. While many people believe that stretching can flush out toxins from the body, the evidence seems to be anecdotal. There is no scientific research supporting such claims.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_it_take_to_see_results_from_stretching\"><\/span><strong>How long does it take to see results from stretching?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with weight loss and muscle growth, it takes several weeks or even months for you to see the results of stretching. Just remain patient and consistent and the results will come.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;&lt;a href=&quot;&quot;https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good&quot;&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;video autoplay=&quot;autoplay&quot; loop=&quot;loop&quot; muted=&quot;muted&quot; playsinline=&quot;playsinline&quot; width=&quot;777&quot;&gt;&lt;source src=&quot;&quot;https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-1.mp4&quot;&quot; type=&quot;video\/mp4&quot; \/&gt;&lt;\/video&gt;&lt;\/a&gt;&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:256,&quot;11&quot;:3}\" data-sheets-formula=\"=replace(R[-12]C[0],SEARCH(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;,R[-12]C[0]),LEN(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;),R8C[0])\"><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-1.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><b>The Bottom Line<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why does stretching feel good<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? The benefits of this practice show just how well it works for the body and why it makes you feel so good and relaxed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From preventing injuries to improving flexibility, triggering the release of endorphins, and improving circulation, there\u2019s no doubt as to why it makes us feel so refreshed and satisfied.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve been ignoring stretching in your daily life, you can fix this by adding just 10 minutes of stretches. The benefits and results are far too good to ignore for such a low-effort and low-impact activity.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever noticed how professional athletes stretch before they sprint out onto the field or pick up a tennis racket and start killing it on the court? It\u2019s only natural, as stretching is of great importance when it comes to maintaining a healthy body and toned muscles. If you\u2019re familiar with yoga and Pilates, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":79702,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49,52],"tags":[],"coauthors":[45],"class_list":["post-5440","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-betterme-fitness","category-yoga"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have you ever wondered \u2605 WHY DOES STRETCHING FEEL GOOD? \u27a4 Find out what makes you want to stretch after you wake up, and why is it important to do so.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Have you ever wondered \u2605 WHY DOES STRETCHING FEEL GOOD? \u27a4 Find out what makes you want to stretch after you wake up, and why is it important to do so.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"#\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-11T19:09:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Does-Stretching-Feel-Good_-A-Health-Beneficial-Pick-Me-Up-We-All-Need-1024x640.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"BetterMe\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"BetterMe\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/5ebf2773ceb32ef6b8abc0c882459360\"},\"headline\":\"Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-11T19:09:59+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/\"},\"wordCount\":2664,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Does-Stretching-Feel-Good_-A-Health-Beneficial-Pick-Me-Up-We-All-Need.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Fitness\",\"Yoga\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Have you ever noticed how professional athletes stretch before they sprint out onto the field or pick up a tennis racket and start killing it on the court? It\u2019s only natural, as stretching is of great importance when it comes to maintaining a healthy body and toned muscles. If you\u2019re familiar with yoga and Pilates, then you probably know that a lot of the poses and workouts are based on and include a lot of stretches.\u00a0<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span data-sheets-root=\\\"1\\\" data-sheets-value=\\\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;[video-shortcode link=\\\\&quot;https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good\\\\&quot; mp4=\\\\&quot;https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\\\\&quot;]&quot;}\\\" data-sheets-userformat=\\\"{&quot;2&quot;:256,&quot;11&quot;:3}\\\" data-sheets-formula=\\\"=replace(R[-12]C[0],SEARCH(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;,R[-12]C[0]),LEN(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;),R8C[0])\\\"><\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Cardio and weightlifting are mostly focused on dynamic movements, but avid supporters of these fitness approaches don\u2019t miss the chance to incorporate some stretching into their exercise plans. Why? Because stretching improves flexibility and range of motion, benefits your posture, releases tension, relieves stress, and centers your mind.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">In addition to stretching as part of a workout, stretching in everyday life, either first thing in the morning or to fight off the desire to drift off in the middle of the day, leads to a pleasant and refreshing feeling that comes over you like a wave. But have you ever wondered \u201cWhy does stretching feel so good?\u201d If you have, then this article is all you need to find the answer.<\/span>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><b>Why Do We Stretch?<\/b><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Stretching comes in two main forms, vol ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/\",\"name\":\"Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need - BetterMe\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Does-Stretching-Feel-Good_-A-Health-Beneficial-Pick-Me-Up-We-All-Need.png\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-11T19:09:59+00:00\",\"description\":\"Have you ever wondered \u2605 WHY DOES STRETCHING FEEL GOOD? \u27a4 Find out what makes you want to stretch after you wake up, and why is it important to do so.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Does-Stretching-Feel-Good_-A-Health-Beneficial-Pick-Me-Up-We-All-Need.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Does-Stretching-Feel-Good_-A-Health-Beneficial-Pick-Me-Up-We-All-Need.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1200},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Fitness\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/betterme-fitness\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/\",\"name\":\"BetterMe Blog\",\"description\":\"Health &amp; Fitness\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\",\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"alternateName\":\"Betterme Limited\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"BetterMe\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/betterme\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/betterme\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/betterme-apps\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/bettermetips\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC0svgcjc3jSgcryqo83spPQ\",\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@betterme.health.coaching\",\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/betterme-health-coaching\/id1264546236\",\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.gen.workoutme&amp;amp;amp;amp;hl=en_US&amp;amp;amp;amp;gl=US\",\"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q114895798\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/5ebf2773ceb32ef6b8abc0c882459360\",\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/422818b99e1ecedb8ed25890653c47fe\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-6-150x150.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-6-150x150.png\",\"caption\":\"BetterMe\"},\"sameAs\":[\"#\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/author\/bttrm-admin\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need - BetterMe","description":"Have you ever wondered \u2605 WHY DOES STRETCHING FEEL GOOD? \u27a4 Find out what makes you want to stretch after you wake up, and why is it important to do so.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"nofollow"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need","og_description":"Have you ever wondered \u2605 WHY DOES STRETCHING FEEL GOOD? \u27a4 Find out what makes you want to stretch after you wake up, and why is it important to do so.","og_url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_author":"#","article_modified_time":"2025-07-11T19:09:59+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":640,"url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Does-Stretching-Feel-Good_-A-Health-Beneficial-Pick-Me-Up-We-All-Need-1024x640.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"BetterMe","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"BetterMe","Est. reading time":"13 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/"},"author":{"name":"BetterMe","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/5ebf2773ceb32ef6b8abc0c882459360"},"headline":"Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need","dateModified":"2025-07-11T19:09:59+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/"},"wordCount":2664,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Does-Stretching-Feel-Good_-A-Health-Beneficial-Pick-Me-Up-We-All-Need.png","articleSection":["Fitness","Yoga"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you ever noticed how professional athletes stretch before they sprint out onto the field or pick up a tennis racket and start killing it on the court? It\u2019s only natural, as stretching is of great importance when it comes to maintaining a healthy body and toned muscles. If you\u2019re familiar with yoga and Pilates, then you probably know that a lot of the poses and workouts are based on and include a lot of stretches.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-sheets-root=\"1\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;[video-shortcode link=\\&quot;https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=why_does_stretching_feel_good\\&quot; mp4=\\&quot;https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\\&quot;]&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:256,&quot;11&quot;:3}\" data-sheets-formula=\"=replace(R[-12]C[0],SEARCH(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;,R[-12]C[0]),LEN(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;),R8C[0])\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardio and weightlifting are mostly focused on dynamic movements, but avid supporters of these fitness approaches don\u2019t miss the chance to incorporate some stretching into their exercise plans. Why? Because stretching improves flexibility and range of motion, benefits your posture, releases tension, relieves stress, and centers your mind.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to stretching as part of a workout, stretching in everyday life, either first thing in the morning or to fight off the desire to drift off in the middle of the day, leads to a pleasant and refreshing feeling that comes over you like a wave. But have you ever wondered \u201cWhy does stretching feel so good?\u201d If you have, then this article is all you need to find the answer.<\/span>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Why Do We Stretch?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stretching comes in two main forms, vol ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/","url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/","name":"Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need - BetterMe","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Does-Stretching-Feel-Good_-A-Health-Beneficial-Pick-Me-Up-We-All-Need.png","dateModified":"2025-07-11T19:09:59+00:00","description":"Have you ever wondered \u2605 WHY DOES STRETCHING FEEL GOOD? \u27a4 Find out what makes you want to stretch after you wake up, and why is it important to do so.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Does-Stretching-Feel-Good_-A-Health-Beneficial-Pick-Me-Up-We-All-Need.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Does-Stretching-Feel-Good_-A-Health-Beneficial-Pick-Me-Up-We-All-Need.png","width":1920,"height":1200},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/why-does-stretching-feel-good\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Fitness","item":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/betterme-fitness\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Why Does Stretching Feel Good? A Health Beneficial Pick-Me-Up We All Need"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/","name":"BetterMe Blog","description":"Health &amp; Fitness","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization","name":"BetterMe","alternateName":"Betterme Limited","url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"BetterMe"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","https:\/\/x.com\/betterme","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/betterme\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/betterme-apps","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/bettermetips\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC0svgcjc3jSgcryqo83spPQ","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@betterme.health.coaching","https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/betterme-health-coaching\/id1264546236","https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.gen.workoutme&amp;amp;amp;amp;hl=en_US&amp;amp;amp;amp;gl=US","https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q114895798"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/5ebf2773ceb32ef6b8abc0c882459360","name":"BetterMe","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/422818b99e1ecedb8ed25890653c47fe","url":"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-6-150x150.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-6-150x150.png","caption":"BetterMe"},"sameAs":["#"],"url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/author\/bttrm-admin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5440","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5440"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5440\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79704,"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5440\/revisions\/79704"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5440"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=5440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}