Tight hips can make everything feel harder: getting out of a chair, walking to the mailbox, climbing stairs, rolling over in bed, or standing at the kitchen counter. And when the hips get stiff, the lower back often complains too. The good news is that you don’t need a hard workout or fancy equipment to feel a little looser. A few gentle stretches, done slowly and safely, can help the hips and lower back move with less strain. Before we get into the stretches, one quick note: