Wait, That’s a Holiday? Dec. 11: “National Stretching Day”

With finals week rapidly approaching and an overwhelming load of projects due, students need a way to decompress and relieve stress. A great way to do this is stretching. 

Dec. 11 is recognized as National Stretching Day, making it the perfect excuse to stretch the stress away — today and every day. There are dozens of ways to stretch that have their own benefits. 

Yoga is a popular way to stretch and calm down, which is helpful for the end of the semester. It’s often offered at studios like Sweathory and CorePower Yoga, or you can opt to follow along with a yoga video for a similar experience. 

If you find yourself too busy to drive to a class, simply look up stretching videos on a laptop or TV for access to thousands of tutorials, varying in intensity and skill level.

Although a yoga video should  — in theory — have the same effect as yoga with an instructor, it can be hard to pull yourself away from the distractions of your house, making an in-person class more beneficial. 

Another great way to stretch is through piyo. Piyo can best be described as “fast yoga” — the perfect solution for people who feel restless during slow activities. These classes are a mix between yoga and cardio, so you receive the benefits of stretching while exerting energy through working out. 

Taking 30 minutes after school to follow along with a stretching tutorial can be a great way to break up a stressful day and let yourself relax before you get back to your work. After school, it can also loosen your tight muscles that get little attention during the school day. 

An added bonus of stretching is increased flexibility for sports, a way to clear your mind and increased blood flow. Some studies even prove that it can decrease chances of sports-related injuries. 

So next time you need to destress, prepare for a workout or exert energy, you should consider stretching through yoga, piyo or a video to reap all the benefits.