This is highly recommended, a series where I provide a compelling argument for why you should like something that I like.
Dear Reader,
I’ve been called many things. But we’re not going to get into all of them here. (Not because they would take too long to list, but because I don’t really feel like getting into all of the reasons that I’ve been labeled one way or another. And yeah, I know what you’re thinking – a lot of the things I’ve been called are bad things. But I can handle it. I’m a big boy (t-shirt size L or sometimes XL)) But there’s one thing I’ve never been called: limber.
And that’s a real shame. Not because I necessary want to be labeled as limber, but just because it’s a great word. I’d love to hear somebody lob it at me from across the gym after watching me do what I’m about to highly recommend.
I highly recommend stretching.
Why?
Cooling Down After A Workout
Post-workout is the most common stretch situation. (I guess you could stretch whenever you want, but that’s not what I do. And I guess you could consider yoga a workout where all you do is stretch, but that’s not what I do.) When you run hot like I do (I’m an All Season Sweater™), you’ve got to find some way to cool down between being active and hitting (the absolutely incredible Equinox (flex)) showers. Gently folding myself into different positions while constantly wiping myself off with a towel works best.
Not Very Difficult
I wouldn’t say I’m a fan of making things difficult for myself in a variety of ways, but I do it too often to say I hate it. So while I struggle to make meaningful relationships because I’m emotionally unavailable, I might as well do something easy to balance everything out. Gently moving my limbs into different positions doesn’t require much effort. (Yes, you can definitely do stretches that are difficult and force you out of your comfort zone, but I refuse to do so. Exiting my comfort zone is something I generally refuse to do. Hey – that’s another way I make things difficult for myself! I’m learning so much today.)
A Small And Satisfying Amount Of Pain
If I was being really dramatic, I would write something like “pain is the only way to really feel”. But I only want to be a little dramatic, so I’m going to write something like “a little bit of pain feels pretty good.” And I’m not wrong. That little bit of strain you get when you’ve contorted your body into an unusual position is how you know that the stretch is actually working. And if the stretch isn’t working, what’s the point of doing it? (“But Nick, you do a lot of things that don’t actually work on a regular basis.”)(¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
Improving General Flexibility
That small and satisfying amount of pain lets me know that I’m pushing my body just beyond its limits. As a person that’s never been called limber, my limits are limited. My dad used to make fun of me because I couldn’t touch my toes by erupting in laughter and flaunting his flexibility in front of me. That haunting image is what keeps me going today, even when I don’t feel like doing the easiest part of the workout. One day, I WILL defeat my father in a toe-touching contest, even if it requires him receiving a replacement hip for a second time.
Relaxing
I lead a very stressful life. Between having a full time job (where I arrive no earlier than 10:30), keeping a busy social calendar (I’ve got at least 3.5 friends) and blogging (writing these things takes more physical and emotional energy than you can imagine), I barely have any time to myself. Getting down on that mat for even a few minutes helps restore a small amount of sanity. Even though I downloaded that meditation app that everybody uses, sitting quietly with my eyes closed for a few minutes in the morning doesn’t compete with giving my quads a nice stretch.
There’s got to be one thing you don’t like about stretching.
Forgetting To Stretch
Now that I’ve become such an avid stretcher, going one morning without going through my routine wreaks havoc on my body. I feel stiff. I feel stuck. I feel like I can’t move they way I was meant to move. (It’s not like I’m supposed to be the most graceful dude of all time, but I think my normal walk has a certain “glide” to it.) The only way to avoid forgetting to stretch is to avoid stretching altogether. But now I’m in too deep.
This morning, while stretching at Equinox (flex) next to a famous actor (double flex), I imagined how I would respond if someone yelled “hey, you’re limber!” at me. Would I thank them? Would I be confused? Would I try stretching even harder, hoping they might follow up their comment with “wow, I think you might be the most limber person I’ve ever seen!”?
And then I realized that if someone yelled “hey, you’re limber!” at me, I probably wouldn’t hear it. That’s because when I’m stretching at Equinox (flex) next to a famous actor (double flex), I’m wearing Apple AirPods (triple flex).
One day I hope that all of you get to experience the greatest luxuries in life. Until then, you’ll just have to get them vicariously through my blog. That’s a close second.
love,
nicholas