Most of us know the feeling: occasional stiffness or tightness, especially when we first wake up or we’ve been sitting for a while. It can be awkward, painful and embarrassing to struggle to stand up or begin to walk and it’s certainly a reminder we’re getting older. One way to combat this? One word: stretching. And while any stretching routine should be done in consultation with your physician or personal trainer, it’s clear that scheduled, regular stretching can really enhance your physical well-being as well as mental outlook. As an example, read about the experience of 74-year-old Myles Schneider Here.

And while there may be some controversy about the value of stretching if you’re a competitive athlete, there’s no controversy that dedicated stretching, separate and apart from any athletic regimen you have, will increase your flexibility, enhance blood flow to your muscles and ultimately reduce your risk of injury. For an overview of the range of benefits from stretching and how you can safely start your own routine, raise your arms and click here. And for some simple video demonstrations of stretches, check out these examples from the Merck Manual here.