Stretching transcends the body, but hear the word stretch and you probably think about the physical body and nothing else. This is likely due to the fact that we experience and are aware of the aches, pains, and tightness therein. Stretching the physical body, according to Healthline.com, increases flexibility and range of motion, improves posture, increases blood flow to muscles, heals and prevents back pain, reduces tension headaches, relieves stress, and calms the mind. We should definitely incorporate physical stretches into daily routines. But there are additional ways to stretch ourselves.

Scientists tells us that brains grow and change in positive ways until we are in our early 30s. After that, we have to work much harder to learn new things. So, it’s important to stretch the mental muscles and retain brain flexibility. How? Incorporate new experiences into our lives by learning a new language or musical instrument, conversing with new people and/or about new topics, using the non-dominant hand for everyday tasks, modifying routine travel routes, and working on crossword and jigsaw puzzles.

Emotional muscles need to be stretched too. It’s easier to tamp down troubling emotions than it is to experience them, but this approach always back-fires. Don’t bite off too much at once, though. Focus on one emotional area such as fear, sadness, anger, or anxiety. Sit with the chosen emotion and see what arises. What experiences from the past contributed to this emotion? Are current events adding a new layer? Is there something in the future - known or perceived - that is exacerbating the feeling? The body will likely begin to respond at this time, feeling tense, clenched or even painful. Is the reaction in your stomach, heart, throat, neck, shoulders, or elsewhere? Place a hand on the area. Take slow, deep breaths, sending love to that area while imagining the breath moving into and out of that very spot. Do this repeatedly, moving the hand and focus to each area where the emotion resides. Feel the physical body relaxing as the emotions dissipate. This exercise may also be done with positive emotions such as joy, love, or compassion. Rather than visualizing the dissipation, allow the emotion to intensify and radiate throughout the body.

We begin acquiring beliefs at a very early age. They change and evolve as we grow, especially during our teens and twenties. But have you evaluated your spiritual beliefs lately? I’m not suggesting that you abandon what remains relevant. But explore the possibility that you’re holding on to beliefs or ideals that no longer serve you. Be open to new possibilities and be willing to stretch beyond the norm and the known.

What is the current status of your creative muscles? Kudos if they’ve been getting a good work-out. If not, it’s time for a stretch. Draw something using crayons, colored pencils, markers, or paints. Sculpt with clay or go avant-garde with household items like paper clips, bottle caps, buttons, and string. Write a short story or a poem. Arrange a centerpiece of rocks, leaves, twigs, flowers, gourds, and pinecones. Head to the kitchen and change up a favorite recipe, or perhaps concoct something brand new. Get creative about being creative!

Whether physical, mental, emotional, spiritual or creative, stretching can be cathartic. Stretch yourself in a different way every day for one week, and see what a difference it makes to your overall health and well-being.