We often wake up stiff in the morning nowadays, particularly in the colder Winter months.
This is a natural phenomenon that increases with age.
In recent times we have decided to fight back, however.
Our morning routine, whatever time Her Majesty the Baby determines we are to rise, commences with a full pint of water each.
While the last thing we often feel like doing, it’s well recognised that after a night’s sleep we can be at our most dehydrated, so H2O is the order of the moment.
After that (and again before reaching for the caffeine!), we perform some gentle stretches.
Nothing too strenuous for 1st thing in the morning, you understand – just enough natural movement to get the muscles moving, the juices flowing and the mind engaged for the day ahead.
We use a simple combination of curling our calves back towards our buttocks by bending our knees, reaching for the ceiling with our hands while keeping our backs and arms straight, gently moving our hips and torsos from side to side while keeping our torsos taut, touching our toes with our fingers while trying to keep our legs as straight as possible and rotating our necks, shoulders then wrists slowly to release the crunch.
All this takes no more than a few moments.
We also grip our fists together then open them again several times.
We personally find these gentle exercises very important because of all the lifting we subsequently have to do with Her Majesty.
Recent research suggests that a person’s overall physical wellbeing can be calculated according to their grip strength.
If correct (and we have no reason to disbelieve the research findings), then this is a very useful physical self health check mechanism.
Note that we have no specific number of what fitness gurus call ‘reps’ (repetitions) but instead simply perform such number as we feel is comfortable for us on a given morning.
We never do so many that we are out of breath as this is not the objective of the exercise.
Everyone can select light stretching movements that work best for them and their most affected areas.
There are a myriad of suggested routines available online but remember, we are not looking to build six packs here, rather to simply loosen up.
Of course consulting specialists in advance is prudent if there are any perceived risks, serious pain or pre existing medical conditions at play (for further info please see our Legal Notices page).
This morning stretchbusting™ routine has been life changing for us in enabling us clear morning ‘grog’ and embrace the day far more positively than before.
It has also definitely helped reduced our SMI™ (Stress Management Index™) in the process.
For the importance of having and monitoring your SMI™, please visit our previous post entitled “Have an SMI™ (Stress Management Index™) to accompany your BMI”.
We hope this suggestion of a daily wake up stretchbusting™ routine is of use!
Big, Stretchy Love, MikeyM&LouLoU™ 👍🙂🧡💚 xxx