Nothing is more pleasurable than a good and long stretch. Many people stretch voluntarily or involuntarily. It feels good after streching, right? But why? How does a usual action make us feel so good, energetic and focused? Let's know...
While there are many factors that makes us feel good after a stretch, the most prominent one has to do something with our circulatory system. Our circulatory system consists of blood capillaries. These capillaries do a lot of job like bringing in oxygen, supplying glucose and much more. As a result after some time, these capillaries shrink and accumulate toxic wastes within itself. And what can cheer them up is only a good strech.
A good strech increases blood flow and helps capillaries get rid of wastes and allow them to function will full force again. This might be one reason why we feel so good after streching.
Besides this, streching also helps to get rid of muscle contraption, contraction and any muscle tension by streching the muscles and tendons. Another reason stretching feels good.
Fun Fact: Animals also stretch.
Moreover, streching also releases endorphins. It is a chemical that helps us to relieve pain and makes us feel good.
Research has shown that static stretching activates your parasympathetic nervous system and inhibits activation of your sympathetic nervous system. Your parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for your rest and digestion functions. It can also help induce feelings of calmness and relaxation.
Stretching is not only good for your body, but also highly beneficial for your mind. When you stretch, you relax and concentrate on the process, your technique, breathing, and sensations. It calms you down and clears your mind of the unnecessary worrying and irritation, reducing stress and promoting a mental balance. That is also one of the reasons why a lot of yoga practices involve stretching as a part of meditation.
Summing it all up, The answer to the question lies in certain reactions of your body to this process, such as activation of the parasympathetic system, which among others is responsible for the relaxation; production of endorphins which cause happiness; better blood circulation, and others. That is why after a good stretch you feel refreshed and satisfied.
Posts before October 2021 have been marked as "Old Posts". Less likely, but they might have out dated or incorrect information, ugly looking bits of code, no labels, etc. Don't get me wrong, many of these posts are top-notch and interesting too.
I thought it would be better not to delete or revamp these posts, even if they suck. The bitter truth is that old works always suck, but I take that as a positive tool to convey that I am growing. Besides there's no better way to showcase my journey without these old, messy, poorly written posts!
I thought it would be better not to delete or revamp these posts, even if they suck. The bitter truth is that old works always suck, but I take that as a positive tool to convey that I am growing. Besides there's no better way to showcase my journey without these old, messy, poorly written posts!
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