The most important advantage of stretching exercises is that they can be done anywhere, including your own work desk.
A common assumption is that stretches are meant to be performed only before and after exercise, it is however not so.
Stretches can be performed at any time of the day to help you revitalize your blood flow and metabolism.
Stretching in between work can help reduce the physical effect of stress.
It also increases you flexibility.
Now if you want to find out the stretches you can easily do at your desk- these are 5 simple stretches you can do to flex five vital areas of your body.
Neck rolls • Sit on your chair with your feet firmly on the ground.
If you are wearing heels remove them.
• Place your hands on your thigh, palm flat.
Close your eyes and relax.
• Move your neck such that your right ear touches the right shoulder.
Move your head slowly such that your chin now drops to your chest area.
Now repeat the action with your left ear touching your left shoulder.
See to it that the motion from left to right is slow and relaxed.
Eagle Arms • While being seated on your chair stretch your arms out parallel to the floor • Close the right arm over the left and make your palms touch.
It would appear as it your hands are wrapped around each other.
• Lift your elbow upwards as if to touch your back with your hands wrapped.
You should feel your upper arms stretching as you perform this.
At the same time you feel a gentle stretch on your back.
• Repeat the action 4-5 times slowly.
Chair Lower Back Stretch • Move your chair away from your desk and sit close to the edge.
Sit with your legs apart such that you're the area between them is greater than your hip distance.
• Bend slowly and place your head near your knees.
Inhale while you do so.
• Staying in the position exhale and slowly move back to original position.
Repeat this action 5-6 times for a good lower back stretch.
Seated Hamstring Stretch • Sit at the edge of your seat facing the wall.
While keeping the left leg flat on the ground, stretch out your right leg.
Place a neck tie around the ball of your leg.
• Elongate your back and lift your sternum.
• Bend slightly forward from the hip crease.
Bend only as much as you can while your back is straight.
• Hold the position for about 30 seconds before relaxing and switching legs.
Hip Flexor Stretch • Stand behind your chair with your hands rested on the seat back.
• Take the right leg back as thought you are going to spring at something • Lower your body down while maintaining that position until you feel a stretch in the front of the right hip • Hold for 10-15 seconds and repeat with other leg.
These five very simple stretching exercises are targeted at 5 crucial stress areas starting from your neck to your feet.
Making it a routine to perform stretches once every hour or so can automatically become your dose of healthy stress relief.
A common assumption is that stretches are meant to be performed only before and after exercise, it is however not so.
Stretches can be performed at any time of the day to help you revitalize your blood flow and metabolism.
Stretching in between work can help reduce the physical effect of stress.
It also increases you flexibility.
Now if you want to find out the stretches you can easily do at your desk- these are 5 simple stretches you can do to flex five vital areas of your body.
Neck rolls • Sit on your chair with your feet firmly on the ground.
If you are wearing heels remove them.
• Place your hands on your thigh, palm flat.
Close your eyes and relax.
• Move your neck such that your right ear touches the right shoulder.
Move your head slowly such that your chin now drops to your chest area.
Now repeat the action with your left ear touching your left shoulder.
See to it that the motion from left to right is slow and relaxed.
Eagle Arms • While being seated on your chair stretch your arms out parallel to the floor • Close the right arm over the left and make your palms touch.
It would appear as it your hands are wrapped around each other.
• Lift your elbow upwards as if to touch your back with your hands wrapped.
You should feel your upper arms stretching as you perform this.
At the same time you feel a gentle stretch on your back.
• Repeat the action 4-5 times slowly.
Chair Lower Back Stretch • Move your chair away from your desk and sit close to the edge.
Sit with your legs apart such that you're the area between them is greater than your hip distance.
• Bend slowly and place your head near your knees.
Inhale while you do so.
• Staying in the position exhale and slowly move back to original position.
Repeat this action 5-6 times for a good lower back stretch.
Seated Hamstring Stretch • Sit at the edge of your seat facing the wall.
While keeping the left leg flat on the ground, stretch out your right leg.
Place a neck tie around the ball of your leg.
• Elongate your back and lift your sternum.
• Bend slightly forward from the hip crease.
Bend only as much as you can while your back is straight.
• Hold the position for about 30 seconds before relaxing and switching legs.
Hip Flexor Stretch • Stand behind your chair with your hands rested on the seat back.
• Take the right leg back as thought you are going to spring at something • Lower your body down while maintaining that position until you feel a stretch in the front of the right hip • Hold for 10-15 seconds and repeat with other leg.
These five very simple stretching exercises are targeted at 5 crucial stress areas starting from your neck to your feet.
Making it a routine to perform stretches once every hour or so can automatically become your dose of healthy stress relief.