Preserve the health of your muscular system by developing habits that reduce muscle stress and improve muscle function and strength. Here is how Stretch. One type of stretching that can give your muscle a relaxation is static stretching. It helps in relaxing muscles and improving flexibility. For best results, focus on each muscle for at least thirty seconds once or twice a day. Stretch after warming up or working out. Never stretch before you workout. Resistance Training. Lifting weights does not have to be synonymous with the bodybuilding bulk you see in magazines. Weight training strengthens muscle fibers. Increasing your muscle mass boosts metabolism and gives stabilization and protection to joints. Which means you will have more energy and you will burn more calories and fat. Resistance training does not always have to happen at the gym. Any time you get up and move your body and seek to actively engages your muscles in activity means that you are working on muscle tone and activation and this will help in maintaining your overall muscle health. Breathing. It is okay to relax and breathe it out. While lifting weights, remember that when you are doing the most work it is the time to exhale. For example, if you are doing a push-up, breathe out when you are pushing. Naturally over time you will find that it is automatic for you to exhale during exertion. Drink Water Folks, you might have heard it hundred times but it is so important. Water flushes the toxins and bacteria in your muscles out and decreases joint pain by keeping the cartilage soft. The best rule of thumb to know how much water your body needs is to look at the color of your urine when using the restroom. Massage. I do not need to tell you that massage is powerful therapy for muscle health. Massage should definitely be added to your fitness plan if you want to maximize results and muscle recovery. Not only does it help with muscle recovery, but its also beneficial for improving range of motion, flexibility and muscle tone while helping them to heal from micro tears and injuries more quickly. But Even More Than That, Here is How Massage Really Makes a Difference to Get You Results. Massage helps maintain muscle elasticity, performance, response and flexibility through delivery of heat, blood and oxygen to your muscles and soft tissues. Massage therapy and other physical therapies coupled with active movement, stretching, and exercise can work together to maintain better physical performance and help recovery more quickly from physical injury. Massage helps Break up the Fuzz that is keeping your muscles from functioning properly. A Practiced Massage Therapist can assist you in stretching and flexibility and can reach yourself such as your low back that is under your shoulder blades, the back of your neck and shoulders and your hamstrings, etc. You can work with your comfortably to get your muscles to release. Therefore freeing up your muscles to move and act to your heart desire without restriction or pain.