Stretching Exercises will Improve Your Flexibility

Health professionals say it is important to incorporate stretching exercises into your routine especially the older we get as our flexibility naturally decreases. As joints become stiff, and tendons and ligaments tighten up, we become more susceptible to injuries as well as chronic pain and poor posture. In fact studies show men’s flexibility drops sharply at around 70 years of age. 

Stretching exercises are easy to learn, relatively easy to do, and should not take more than five to ten minutes. Urvashi Chogle, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, says the shoulders, hips, knees and spine lose the most flexibility.  He explains, "This makes many everyday movements more difficult, such as reaching overhead, squatting, twisting, and bending over." 

Of course before you begin any new stretching exercises, you need to consult with your healthcare provider. He or she may have suggestions on how to safely get started or direct you to your local community senior center for classes or other organizations catering to seniors. Additionally the Internet has a lot of information on how seniors can improve their flexibility with stretching exercises done in a chair, standing up, or if you can, on the floor. Regardless of your level of fitness, these exercises should help improve your range of motion, flexibility and joint stiffness.   

At MorningStar at River Oaks, our assisted living and memory care provide Houston seniors a carefree lifestyle to safely age in place with a range of hospitality and care services, luxury amenities and a complement of wellness programs and activities. Our programs include a range of exercise classes such as chair yoga, gentle stretching and others to help keep you moving. Situated in Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood, our home includes a sixth-floor sky terrace and lounge offering spectacular views of downtown, courtyards with fireplace and BBQ, and a grand entrance portal located on Revere Street. Visit our website for more information, and pricing and availability. We open to residents in the last quarter of 2021.

Source: health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/a-plan-for-easy-stretching