Stretching is just one of a number of tools that you can use to manage stress.
One of the reasons that stretching is so effective for stress is our (generally) more sedentary lifestyles promote stiffness, which exacerbates stress in the first place, says Jessica Matthews, an associate professor of kinesiology and the creator of the Master of Kinesiology in Integrative Wellness program at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, and the author of Stretching to Stay Young.
Stress in your muscles manifests as tightness, and when you relax those muscles, you can tap into your body’s ability to release mental stress.
“Stretching and movement provide proper circulation, increase oxygen, and release tension in your muscles,” says Kelsey Decker, a personal trainer certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the manager of training for StretchLab in Orange County, California. Together, all of these effects help you simmer down, she says.
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