One of the best ways to calm your body down and get it in a relaxed state that’s conducive for a good night’s sleep, is to engage in a few pre-bedtime stretches. Not only will these stretches relax you, but you’ll also wake up refreshed and less stiff.

It’s important to note that you don’t need to warm up when doing stretches before bed. The goal is to wind you down and not perk you up.

The first step is deep breathing. You need to watch your breathing when doing the stretches mentioned below. The stretches below are relaxing and do not require much effort or exertion. So, inhale and exhale deeply and in a rhythmic fashion.

1 – Seated Side Bends

Cross your legs and raise your left arm above your head. Now lean sideways to the right so that the side of your torso gets a good stretch. Next, repeat on the other side with your right arm raised. Continue reading →

Neck aches and shoulder aches are usually more common in younger adults who spend a lot of time hunched over their computer or desks in a kyphotic position.

However, there are also seniors who may find that their necks and shoulders are stiff and tight every morning when they wake up. This problem can be alleviated by stretching the neck and shoulder muscles.

As for the wrists, this is a common problem area for many seniors because the wrist muscles can get stiff and may even be prone to repetitive strain injury.

Arthritis can be a problem too. So, stretching your wrist muscles and joints will keep them supple and get the blood flowing. Continue reading →