4 Simple Stretching Exercises You Should Try

September 17, 2014

Five minutes of stretching can help ease back pain, improve circulation, increase flexibility and brighten your skin tone. Stretching stimulates the brain to release the hormone serotonin, which is a natural mood lifter.

Stretching Exercises: 4 Exercises You Should Try

Do this simple series of stretches in the late afternoon for five days. Go through the series four times, breathing deeply. Start by removing your shoes.

1. Reach for the stars:

Reach your arms up toward the sky and as far back as you can comfortably go.
Relax and hold for a count of five.
Breathe in slowly through your nose and hold for a count of four.
Tighten your abdomen and exhale slowly.

2. Side stretch:

Reach one arm over your head and to the opposite side of your body. (You can keep the other hand on your hip or in the air.) Hold for a count of five.
Breathe in slowly through your nose and hold for four seconds
Tighten your abdomen and exhale slowly.

3. Touch your toes:

Bend at the hips and reach for your toes. (Bending your knees is OK.)
Hold for a count of five.
Breathe in slowly through your nose and hold for a count of four.
Tighten your abdomen and exhale slowly.

4. Twisted seat:

Sit down in a chair keeping your back straight
Twist to one side, keeping your hips stationary, all the way from your lower back up to your head.
Look over your shoulder.
Hold for a count of five.
Repeat in the opposite direction.