August, the last month of Winter! Have you noticed the budding blossoms, the bright yellow wattle, and the blue afternoon skies? This is a sign that we are heading closer to Spring. But with the chill still in the air, we continue to enjoy the comfort of the indoors. This month, we focus on our daily stretch habit.

Stretching is one of our key focus areas of wellbeing here at Health Breaks and one that we commit to throughout the year. Why? Because we feel the difference that regular stretching brings to our lives.

Stretching is something we often neglect as we hurry away from our fitness class or sport session. We put more focus on thinking we need to be panting or sweating to be gaining any benefit from exercise.

Stretching has many benefits including:

• Preventing injury – because we have a greater range of movement at our joints, allowing for unexpected movements.
• Reducing pain from poor posture – by loosening muscles that become tense due to prolonged sitting.
• Releasing stress  – our muscles tense up when we are feeling stress or negative emotions.
• Quietening down our breathing and de-cluttering our minds – by moving and breathing slowly.
• Helping to avoid sorenes after exercise (even the day after) – because stretching helps to stop the build up of chemicals in the muscles after exercise. 
• Improving posture – think of chest muscles that are relaxed after a good stretch.
• Improving sport performance – flexibility means longer, higher, deeper jumps, leaps, and bounds.

Below are two Stretch Routines for you to enjoy. For those who are members, there are hundreds of stretch routines on Health Breaks app, especially designed for you and your wellbeing. Enjoy!