Flex Time

Whether you’re an occasional exerciser or a daily enthusiast, flexibility is key to ensuring that your body can do what you want it to do: walk or jog, bike, play a sport or cavort with your darling grandchild.

Flexibility refers to the range of motion of your joints. Stretching increases flexibility. Exercising without stretching can lead to stiff joints, back problems and a heightened risk of injury. It also affects your posture, and thus your appearance.

As we age, maintaining flexibility is critical. It improves balance and stability, helping to prevent potentially severe injuries that can result from falling.

Resources from a personal trainer to the Internet can guide your stretching routine. Make sure you perform age- and fitness level-appropriate stretches. Concentrate on major muscle groups, moving downward from neck and shoulders to hips, thighs and calves. Hold each stretch for 30 seconds. Don’t bounce; do breathe. You should stretch every time you exercise and at least daily, even when you don’t.

Stretch Your Mind as Well as Your Body

Being flexible is important for your physical well-being. In a fuller sense, flexibility is an important factor in enhancing your quality of life. Remaining mentally nimble, adapting to change, opening your life to possibilities and stretching beyond your comfort zone … these are all ways to keep you alive to life’s bounty and ready to run joyfully with whatever bounces your way.