Dr. Anjali Agrawal Stretching

Discover the Difference Between Stretching vs. Moving—and Why Both Matter for Busy Women

July 17, 20252 min read

Did you know there’s a real difference between stretching and moving? Let’s dive into why both matter—especially for busy, brilliant female service providers navigating life, work, and wellness.

Why posture matters all day long

Most of us live life forward. We wake up, brush our teeth, head to the computer, maybe drive, and sit—leaning forward through our day. Then we curl up to sleep in familiar comfort. But that all-day forward posture shortens our muscles.

What babies can teach us

Have you noticed how babies sleep with arms fully out? That’s because their muscles are relaxed and loose—they’re not used to being shoved forward all day. We, on the other hand, have built years of hunched movement that make stretching feel weird or uncomfortable.

Stretching vs. moving: what’s the difference?

  • Movement = shifting positions (getting water, standing up, walking).

  • Stretching = intentional lengthening of a tight muscle.
    Both are important—but many of us only get movement, not stretch, especially during work hours.

Why both matter in your workout

Lifting, strength training, and consistent movement without stretching can leave muscles shorter over time—even if they repair. You might notice you used to touch your toes easily, but now that's a struggle. That’s a sign your muscles have “shrunk” a bit.

A simple habit to "unstiff" your day

Here’s a little magic you can do anytime, anywhere:

  • Every 45–90 minutes (ideally once an hour), pause.

  • Shift your posture (sit if you’ve been standing, stand if you’ve been sitting).

  • Do one small stretch for 30 seconds each side—neck, chest, hip flexor, low back, whatever feels tight.

Even one minute of this micro-stretching habit helps shift muscle memory more effectively than waiting until evening yoga.

Stretching without stopping

Can’t step away from a meeting? No worries! We have seated and standing stretch options for you—no extra time required. It’s not just easy; it’s powerful for overall health and flow.

Start today, empower your body

You don’t need to spend 60 minutes reversing your whole day—just little pauses add up. It’s kind to your spine, muscles, and the amazing job you’re doing.

Drop a comment and tell me: what’s your favorite stretch of the day? Have you tried one of our YouTube videos on stretching? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for joining us—see you next week!

Dr. Anjali Agrawal's ultimate purpose for growing and expanding her online wellness business and chiropractic practice is deeply rooted in her family, comprising her husband and two young daughters.

-DR. ANJALI AGRAWAL

Dr. Anjali Agrawal's ultimate purpose for growing and expanding her online wellness business and chiropractic practice is deeply rooted in her family, comprising her husband and two young daughters.

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Dr. Anjali offers a holistic approach to wellness through chiropractic and nutrition. With expertise in gentle chiropractic techniques, physiotherapy, holistic lifestyle advice, and so much more, she's on a mission to help people Move Well, Eat Well, and Live Well.

We are based in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA but you can often find Dr. Anjali traveling all across the states teaching and empowering others to get BACK IN BALANCE.

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