Overcoming Body Stiffness in the Morning
By Sara Butler
Do you ever wake up in the morning, roll over to get out of bed and – oh no – you can barely move because you’re so stiff? Millions of Americans suffer just like this every morning and find it just as hard as you to get out of bed and begin their day. There are a lot of things that can cause morning stiffness, and it can happen to any joint in your body – but don’t get discouraged! These chiropractic tips can help you to beat back morning stiffness and get your day started off easier and better!
Sleep is Important
Do you get enough sleep every night? On average, an adult should be getting between seven and nine hours of sleep every single night. Your body needs time to rest and recover from the day and uses it to repair the damage that has occurred over the course of the day too. If you’re not getting enough sleep then you’re not giving your body the time it needs to rest and repair, and you will feel it in the morning!
Exercise Weekly
Everyone should be exercising and stretching regularly, but if you suffer from stiffness it’s even more important. When you exercise and stretch, you are helping to support healthy joints and helping to reduce the wear and tear they are exposed to over the course of the day.
You should try to fit in two sessions of strength training every week as well as 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking or swimming. This can help you to feel better in the morning, too.
Say Goodbye to Stress
If you’re under a lot of stress it can creep its way into many different aspects of your life such as how well you sleep at night. Stress can also contribute to how stiff you feel in the morning when you get out of bed, so it’s really important to find a way to work out your stress. Exercise, meditation, massage or just a simple vacation can help to keep your stress levels in check. Regular chiropractic care can also help you to keep stress levels manageable!
Stretch Before Getting Out of Bed
A really simple way to combat morning stiffness is to stretch before you try to get out of bed every morning. Wiggle your toes and fingers, bend your arms and legs – it doesn’t have to be anything fancy in order to get the job done and reduce stiffness.
Take a Shower
A great way to reduce morning stiffness is by taking a hot shower. This not only feels nice, but it can work to loosen stiff joints and muscles and improve your flexibility so you can face the day!
If you have questions about stiffness in the morning, don’t be afraid to bring it up during your next adjustment at The Joint Chiropractic!