A Smooth Summer: How Is Your Balance?
Summer is just around the corner, temperatures are rising, and the days are long. For many, summer is a time to slow down a bit, enjoy being outdoors, and soak up every ray of sunshine. To make the most of the summer, it's beneficial to feel good both mentally and physically. Exercise plays a crucial role in this. How do you keep your body flexible to move freely?
Why is exercise important?
Regular exercise brings many benefits. It increases energy, strengthens your bones and muscles, and is good for your heart and blood vessels. Besides these physical effects, exercise also releases various chemicals that contribute to our sense of happiness, such as endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. Endorphins give a feeling of satisfaction and relieve pain, dopamine is the 'reward chemical' and provides a sense of accomplishment. Serotonin is our 'happiness hormone' and ensures a good mood.
The importance of mobility, stability, and flexibility
Adequate exercise is important for our physical and mental health. But how often do you consciously work on your mobility, stability, and flexibility? Maintaining these aspects of movement ensures that your body remains supple and you can move freely.
The difference between mobility, stability, and flexibility
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Mobility: this is the ability of a joint or body part to move freely through its full range of motion. Mobility enables us to perform daily activities such as bending, lifting, reaching, and walking.
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Flexibility: this refers to the movement capacity of muscles and joints. It involves the stretchability of muscles, tendons, and connective tissues, allowing for greater freedom of movement.
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Stability: this involves the control and strength needed to keep the body balanced during movement. It includes the cooperation of muscles, joints, and the nervous system to produce the desired movement without the body losing balance.
The benefits of good mobility, stability, and flexibility
Promoting mobility and flexibility in the body leads to improved circulation, stimulates bowel movement, and reduces muscle and joint tension. Stability helps maintain good posture and coordination, which can contribute to better digestion. Moreover, regular physical activity, including exercises that promote mobility, flexibility, and stability, can help reduce stress and promote a positive mood. Super important, indeed! Want to get started with exercises for your mobility, stability, and flexibility? You can find many videos on YouTube for every level, so there's always something for you.
Supplements for muscles and joints
Perhaps you've just tried out how flexible you still are, or that left knee is starting to become bothersome. In addition to certain exercises, there are specific supplements that can support your muscles and joints. This way, you can enjoy playing football on the beach, taking walks in nature, and sprucing up your balcony or garden this summer without worry.
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Magnesium: magnesium plays a role in maintaining flexible and strong muscles and helps in the building of body proteins.
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Boswellia: Boswellia helps to keep joints supple.
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Glucosamine is very suitable for athletes and the elderly. This naturally occurring protein is a building block of cartilage.
