Welcome back to Just Curious, Strong Women’s weekly series exploring all the random health and fitness questions you’ve always wondered about but never got the answers to.

This week, we’re exploring why stretching feels so good, and how to make sure you get a ‘good’ stretch every time.

There’s nothing quite like a good stretch. Whether it’s first thing in the morning, during a yoga class or after an intense workout, stretching is a quick and easy way to relieve tension and increase your mobility, making it easier to move freely and reduce risk of injury.

And stretching isn’t just good for increasing flexibility – it can also make us feel great. If you’ve ever felt the relief of a big stretch after a long day or felt the frustration of being unable to get a ‘good’ stretch, you’ll know that stretching can leave you feeling lighter and boost your mood.

But why is this? To find out more about the benefits of stretching – and why some stretches just feel ‘good’ while others don’t quite hit the spot – we spoke to Helen O’Leary, physiotherapist and pilates instructor at Complete Pilates. Here’s what she had to say.  

The sense of relief that comes from stretching is to do with the impact it has on our nervous system and hormones. For one thing, stretching can activate the parasympathetic nervous system – the side of our nervous system responsible for the ‘rest and digest’ state.

And stretching can also trigger the release of key neurotransmitters, such as endorphins (those hormones which make you feel good after a workout) and serotonin (the happy hormone).

O’Leary adds that the deeper breathing that typically takes place when we stretch can amplify the mental benefits. “The combination of stretching and breathwork can help to calm your body and mind, enhancing the feeling of relaxation.”

The physical effect of stretching in the muscles can also add to how good it feels, O’Leary adds. “We aren’t designed to stay still; stretching increases the blood flow to our muscles and stops us from feeling uncomfortable from sitting still for too long.” 

Being unable to stretch the part of your body that feels tense can be hugely annoying, but there are a number of reasons why this might be the case.

O’Leary says not being able to get a ‘good’ stretch is typically due to several key factors – starting with using the incorrect technique. “People either have incorrect positioning or technique – meaning the stretch isn’t effective – or choose the incorrect stretch for the muscle they are trying to stretch,” she says.

While it can be tempting to push through the pain and see how far you can stretch – especially in the middle of a yoga class where it feels like everyone else is a member of Cirque Du Soleil – O’Leary says this can be another reason why a stretch doesn’t quite hit the spot.

“If you push through the pain, you’re likely to tense up, which means the stretch won’t be as effective,” she explains. “Stretching should not hurt. You want to feel the stretch, but this should not be painful. If you are pushing into or through pain, then you could cause injury.” 

Images: Getty