In theory, when our alarm clock rings in the morning, we should wake up fresh, rested and charged with energy and vitality to face the day. But in practice, this is not always true. The truth is that many people begin their daily journey with creaks, discomfort and complaints because their body feels stiff, rigid and even sore.
This feeling that the body is as if rusty worsens with age, but factors such as lifestyle, the mattress and the pillow we use to sleep also influence. The reason we wake up stiff is that the body suffers after a long period of inactivity.
During this time without moving, the lubrication of our joints and fascia, which is a set of tissues that surround and support muscles, soft tissues, bones and organs, is altered. When we spend a lot of time at rest, the lubricant in the fascia becomes denser, making it difficult for muscles and joints to glide smoothly, leading to feelings of tightness and cracking. All of this is also worsened by the drop in body temperature while we sleep.
Although it is a natural sensation, it is very uncomfortable to wake up with the feeling that our body is made of wood. But we can remedy it with a series of practical tips. To begin with, it is worth checking the quality of the mattress and pillow, as well as our posture when sleeping. The pillow should be thick and firm enough to allow the head to be aligned with the spine.
For its part, the mattress should be neither too firm nor too soft, giving regular support to the entire body and allowing us to move naturally. If you notice pain in the lower back, it is very helpful to sleep with a cushion or pillow between your legs, to keep the lower back in a neutral position.
On the other hand, with that feeling of tightness our body is telling us that it needs movement. Try to maintain an active lifestyle during the day, doing physical exercise, walking and stretching. Some disciplines such as Pilates and yoga are especially beneficial for combating body stiffness and improving flexibility.
Likewise, it will be helpful to move your body before getting up, while you are still in bed. Start by stretching your arms and legs and gradually flex the different joints of the body so that they wake up progressively. The cat-cow yoga pose or standing up and bending your back to try to touch your toes will also be very beneficial.
If the stiffness persists after a while and despite movement, you should see a doctor. It will be pertinent to rule out any injury or possible diseases such as arthritis or osteoarthritis.
