Why Mental and Physical Flexibility Decline—And What You Can Do About It

There can be a number of reasons why our mental and physical flexibility can diminish over time. Key reasons are outlined below.

Physical Flexibility:

• Sedentary lifestyle – Lack of regular movement and stretching leads to muscle stiffness and reduced range of motion.

• Aging – Natural loss of elasticity in muscles and connective tissues as we age decreases flexibility.

• Injury or illness – Previous injuries or chronic conditions can limit movement and joint flexibility.

• Poor posture – Slouching or maintaining poor posture over time can lead to muscle imbalances and tightness.

• Lack of stretching – Skipping regular stretching or flexibility exercises can cause muscles to shorten and stiffen.

Mental Flexibility:

• Routines and habits – Over-reliance on familiar routines can reduce openness to new ideas and experiences.

• Fear of change – Discomfort with uncertainty or fear of failure can make people resistant to trying new approaches.

• Cognitive rigidity – Stress, burnout, or cognitive overload can cause tunnel vision, making it harder to adapt or think creatively.

• Age-related cognitive changes – With age, mental processing speed and openness to new experiences may naturally decrease.

• Limited perspective-taking – Lack of exposure to diverse ideas or viewpoints can restrict one’s ability to see beyond their own perspective.

• Biases – can lead us to filter out new and different options, leaving us sticking to what we already know.

The good news is that whilst flexibility can diminish over time, it can also be maintained or improved through intentional practices and awareness. See here for tips on how to improve your flexibility.