A cool down stretch after practice allows your muscles a chance to relax before your body cools down, also reducing soreness. Your body will thank you when it rolls out of bed the next day and can actually move! A little five-minute stretch could make the difference between an effective practice the next day or a sore struggle.
Long hours of practice and busy schedules make the little things seem insignificant. However, it is the little things, such as stretching, that will make a world of difference in your practices and performances. Keep calm and stretch on! Surprise yourself with the many benefits that stretching has to offer.