Here’s a tip on how you can prevent leg cramps at night, especially if you're above fifty years old.

A little bit of exercise goes a long way to creating a more comfortable life. Here’s a tip on how you can prevent leg cramps at night, especially if you're above fifty years old. Stretching for several minutes three times a day has been associated with a significant decrease in the frequency and intensity of night cramps. It is recommended you perform the following stretches, holding each stretch for 30 seconds.

The calf stretch involves standing facing a wall, extending a leg behind you with the heel flat on the ground and bending the front knee of the front leg.

For a hamstring stretch, sit on the edge of a chair and extend one leg while maintaining a straight back, and then lean forward from the hips.

The quadriceps (front thigh) stretch entails lying on your side and gently pulling either the ankle or shin of your top leg backward. Utilize a towel if you have knee issues or cannot reach your foot comfortably.

Consult with your doctor to ensure you have sufficient sodium, potassium and magnesium levels in your body since these are essential electrolytes that control the balance of fluids in the body and depleted levels can make you more prone to cramps.