Time spent stretching is time well spent. There is a lot of focus on building muscle and achieving aerobic fitness when it comes to working out. But you need to think about flexibility too. Stretching can help vastly improve your flexibility.
So, today we are going to talk about all things stretching, its importance, what type of music should accompany your routine, and, finally, some Calm Radio channels that act as the perfect relaxing playlist for stretching.
The Importance of Stretching
Stretching keeps your muscles flexible, strong, and healthy. That flexibility enables us to maintain a range of motion in our joints. If you have experienced muscle tightness, you know how vital stretching is. Tightness puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.
Regular stretching keeps your muscles long, lean, and flexible. These healthy muscles will help with balance problems and falls, as well.
Don’t get us wrong, stretching once won’t magically give you perfect flexibility. You need to be in it for the long haul. You’ll need to do it over time and remain committed to the process.
Before we talk more about stretching, it is essential to remember if you are experiencing any issues with your muscles, joints, or any other health concerns, please speak with your doctor.
Benefits of Stretching
All it takes to warm up the muscles before stretching is five to 10 minutes of light activity, such as a quick walk. You can also stretch after an aerobic or weight-training workout.
According to the American Council on Exercise, stretching provides these benefits:
- Decreased stress
- Reduced pain and stiffness
- Improved health
- Enhanced range of motion
- Improved function
- May reduce the risk of injury
- Enhanced performance
- Improved blood flow and circulation
- Minimized wear and tear on joints
- Improved quality of life
Music For Stretching
Music is scientifically proven to help boost your physical performance, endurance, and recovery. It’s also been shown to make exercise more enjoyable.
In the same way that upbeat music can keep you moving during a run or workout, slow, calming music can help with your cool down. “Listening to a slow song while you stretch can help your heart rate and your blood pressure come down,” says Jasmin Hutchinson, associate professor of exercise science and sport studies and the director for sport and exercise psychology at Springfield College.
Research by Costas Karageorghis, a Music and Fitness Psychologist at Brunel University, suggests the ideal beats per minute (bpm) for workout music. The study recommends the following bpm:
Mental preparation: 90-100 bpm
Stretching/yoga: 100-110 bpm
Strength training: 110-130 bpm
Cardio: 120-140 bpm
Relaxing Music For Stretching
When it comes to relaxing music, each person has their own preference for what puts them in a calmer space. Some prefer downtempo new age music, others prefer jazz or chill hop. Thankfully, we have a vast library of music that is perfect to cool down with. Whether you are looking for something chill and laid back or something with a little groove, here are five channels we recommend for stretching.
Tranquility: This channel is filled with relaxing, blissful meditation music. It features Nepalese singing bowls with the beautiful cello music of Jesse Ahmann. Find tranquillity after a run with this pleasant calm music - perfect for quieting your mind. Focus on the gentle sounds, becoming more aware of your breathing, relaxing your body.
Positivity: Calm Radio’s Positivity channel is the perfect antidote to the noise and busyness of the everyday. It is relaxing music that is emotionally and spiritually uplifting, calming, and mentally invigorating. If you have eclectic tastes, this channel is for you. It will take you everywhere from Middle Eastern sounds to neoclassical styles, from the Spanish guitar to a synthesizer, solo or ensemble.
Calming Classical: The Calming Classical channel includes only light, relaxing music, and has some of the best classical music selections from many great composers of the Romantic and Classical periods. Calm, laid-back, this is a relaxing music playlist that can help you concentrate on your stretching and unwinding.
Ambient 1 - Spaces: No beats, just drones and languid atmospheric pads. Chill and enter a meditative space with this music. It emphasizes tone and atmosphere over traditional musical structure or rhythm. It’s instrumental music that creates the perfect soundscape for a variety of activities, including stretching.
The Slow Vibe: This channel is the ultimate in chill. Enough said.
Experience All The Relaxing Benefits of Calm Radio
There is no need for you to search the web for the perfect workout and exercise playlist. We do it for you. Just one click and you are in the middle of the perfect ad-free playlist for yoga, meditation, stretching, and more.
Calm Radio has over 1000 channels, many of which are focused purely on health and wellness. Visit our Channel Guide to explore.
Happy listening & Happy stretching!
