How to Stretch After a Bad Night's Sleep

After a bad night's sleep, not only to you feel stiff and sore, you are also groggy and lacking in energy. Stretching is a great way to get your blood flowing, stimulate energy and get rid of the kinks that crept into your body as you tossed and turned. While basically any stretching will help, yoga sun salutation poses are especially helpful for increasing energy and starting the day off right.

Instructions

    • 1

      Get a refreshing stretch after a bad night's sleep by first standing with your feet together, lifting up through the spine and then inhale deeply as you reach your hands overhead. As you exhale, bend forward at the hips, keeping your spine straight and reaching out through your fingertips. Bend forward as far as you can without bending your knees, placing your hands on your knees, calves or feet. Hold for 2 or 3 deep breaths.

    • 2

      Bend your knees if necessary and place your hands on the floor on the outside of your feet. Inhale as you jump or walk your feet back, straightening your body into a high push up. Your arms should be straight, directly below your shoulders while you rest on your toes. Keep your buttocks and abdomen firm, keeping your body in a straight line, and hold for 2 or 3 deep breaths.

    • 3

      Exhale as you bend your elbows and slowly lower to the floor, allowing the tops of your feet to rest on the ground. As you inhale, push into your hands, lifting your chin and chest while keeping your legs on the ground. Lift only as high as you can comfortably and hold for 2 or 3 deep breaths.

    • 4

      Roll back onto your toes and inhale as you reverse the motion, lifting the hips high into the air and dropping your head between your arms to create an upside down "V" shape with your body. Once again, hold for 2 or 3 deep breaths.

    • 5

      Inhale as you walk or jump your feet between your hands, returning to the forwards bend. Exhale as you gently roll your spine up and return to standing. Repeat the stretch routine 3 to 6 times to increase energy and work out aches and pains after a bad night's sleep.