Health Tip: Stretch Safely

Stretching after exercise can help your body adjust to inactivity without pain or discomfort.

The American Council on Exercise offers these safe-stretching guidelines:

• Don't stretch if muscles aren't warmed up.
• Carefully stretch until there's light tension in the muscles, taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling.
• Hold that position for 15-to-30 seconds, relax and repeat up to four times.
• Stay still and don't bounce during stretching.
• Don't push yourself to the point of pain; ease the stretch until it is comfortable.
• Breathe normally as you stretch. Don't hold your breath.