Stretching in the morning is one of the best ways for you to start your day and it will only take you less than 10 minutes to loosen up those tight muscles of yours. Of course, before you do some deep stretching, you will need to make your muscles warm so these stretches are ideal after you have done your morning workout. If not, you can perform them after taking a hot shower. On the other hand, if you will be doing these stretches as soon as you get out of bed, be gentle so as not to strain your muscles.
- Upper back release. Stand straight with your feet at hip-width apart. Clasp your hands and keep your upper back rounded while your arms remain straight and engaged. Imagine your shoulder blades opening wide across your back as you hold this pose for 2 to 3 deep breaths.
- Good mornings. For this stretch, you should stand with your hands behind your head and your elbows open wide. Bend forward at the hips with your knees bent slightly while pushing your butt back and not going downwards. You should tip your torso forward and that your core is engaged as you do so without rounding your back. Hold this pose for a few seconds then go back to your first position. This will give your hamstrings and your lower back a good stretch.
- Side stretch. This stretch works the outer thigh, shoulders, and obliques. Stand with your right hand on a wall or bed, with your left leg crossed in front of your right and with your feet pointing forward. Move to your left hip while reaching your left arm up and over your head so that you will be able to create a long line from your left ankle all the way to your left fingertips. Hold this pose and take 2 to 3 deep breaths then release. Do the same on your right.
- Frankensteins. Raise your arms out in front of you and slightly below your shoulders. Walk forward by raising one leg up with foot flexed then the other. If you are kicking your leg too high that your back is rounded, lower it a bit so that your back remains straight. Make sure that your hips are facing forward as you walk like Frankenstein forward.
- Seated spinal twist. In this stretch, you will be working on your spine, neck, as well as your shoulders. You will need to sit on a chair or the edge of your with your legs together. Lengthen your spine then rotate yourself to the left from the waist, while placing your left hand behind you and the right hand on your left thigh. You can deepen the stretch on your neck as you turn your gaze towards the left. Hold this pose for 2 to 3 deep breaths then release. Repeat on the other side. This will help ease the kinks on these muscles.
