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But when you have limited time to squeeze in a workout at all, it tends to get deprioritized.

full body stretch

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Think of it like brushing your teeth, Wickham says.

Everyone gets that it needs to be done every day.

Stretching is the samebut for body and joint maintenance.

What happens if I stretch every day?

Do Ireallyneed to stretch every day?

Adding even just a few night or morning stretches to a daily routine can have a profound impact.

What happens if you never stretch?

And what does a total body stretchdo?

This causes wear and tear that eventually leads to pain and injury, Wickham says.

Thats why, to take one example, tight quads and hip flexors in runners can cause knee pain.

(Many of the poses found in variousforms of yogaare active stretches.)

How long should a full-body stretch last?

Okay, so now you know the benefits of stretching and why its importantbut how long should one last?

What are some examples of full-body stretches?

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This will relieve tension in the neck and traps to help reinforce healthy strong posture, Stokes says.

Being hunched over your desk all day also leads to tight shoulders, Wickham says.

This active stretch will help you improve your shoulder flexibility, mobility, and stability.

It stretches out your triceps, lats, and rotator cuff muscles.

Your hamstrings get tight in part due to sitting way too much throughout your day, Wickham says.

And having tight hamstrings can and usually does contribute to back pain and injury.

Consistently perform this stretch, and you will be able to finally touch your toes again.

Want a quick full-body stretch routine you might follow along with from start to finish?

See hisYouTube workout videobelow.

Kylie Gilbert is a writer and editor based in New York City.