Big Little Practice #6: 7 “Big Little Practices” That Will Transform Your Health
Transforming your health is all about making small changes that over time yield big results.
For the past several weeks, I’ve been sharing “Big Little Practices” that you can start doing to improve your health and well-being.
This 7-part series was inspired by my mentor who would often say to me, “The little things are the big things.”
If you’ve missed any of the previous “Big Little Practices” I’ve shared so far, be sure to check them out.
Today I’m sharing with you Big Little Practice #6.
This is probably something you know is important, but I bet you know you need to do more of it.
Big Little Practice #6: Practice Stretching
Was I right?
Is stretching something that you know is good for you but you just don’t do enough of it?
If so, you’re not alone.
I think most people don’t stretch enough and there are a variety of reasons why.
Sometimes they just don’t know what stretches to do.
Other times, they’re so quick to start their workout, be done, and get on to the next thing that they don’t take time to stretch.
With more of us sitting, fewer of us moving, and all of us getting older each day, stretching our body is something that has become more important than ever to do.
A little stretching goes a long way and that’s why it’s one of my Big Little Practices.
I’ve found that the best way to make stretching become a habit is to combine it with something else that’s already a habit.
For example, let’s take brushing your teeth.
I’ll assume you do this twice a day, perhaps once in the morning and once at night.
This is already a healthy habit that isn’t hard for you to do anymore.
You’ve been doing it for almost all your life and you rarely (or ever) have missed a tooth brushing session.
The few minutes you spend brushing your teeth are a great time to do a few stretches as well, probably those that don’t require both hands!
A hamstring stretch where you put one straight leg on your bed while standing on the other is a great stretch to do while brushing your teeth.
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/371054456769392083/
Another stretch you could do while brushing your teeth is a chest stretch.
This is where you put your hand palm down on a wall at shoulder height and turn your body away from the wall.
https://www.yogadivinity.com/make-your-yoga-last-for-life-7-poses-to-build-muscular-balance
And one more stretch you could do while brushing your teeth is a hip flexor stretch.
Here you would take one big step back while keeping the other leg forward.
Then, shift your weight to the leg in front, and then lean your upper body back.
You should feel the stretch at the top front part of the leg that’s in the back.
http://santoshabodywork.com/2013/11/12/3-tips-for-reducing-low-back-pain/
By the way, if you sit a lot, those are the three stretches I recommend doing anyway!
So, if you sit too much and brush your teeth every day, guess what?
There is no reason why you can’t cultivate this habit of stretching by combining it with your habit of brushing!
Your call-to-action is to start tonight.
But before you even do that, make a Post-it note that reminds you to stretch and stick it on your bathroom mirror.
That way, when you reach for your toothbrush tonight, you’ll see your reminder.
You will go to bed feeling good about doing a few stretches and your body will LOVE it.
Physically, stretching is actually a great thing to do in the morning when you wake up and in the evening before bed – again, probably the times you’re brushing your teeth.
And if you’re thinking that those three stretches aren’t enough and if you’re going to start a stretching regimen then you want to do it right, then you’re making it too big of a production.
Remember, health is cumulative.
It’s all about building on small healthy practices over time and that’s why stretching is Big Little Practice #6.
Stay tuned because next week I finish this 7-part series.
If you missed any, be sure to go back and check them out.
I’ll see you next week!
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