Through out your day when you find yourself sitting for long periods of time, take the time to stretch. You'll be glad you did.
- Let us start with our feet flat on the floor
- Sit up perfectly straight with your head facing forward
- Take 3 deep breaths - Breath in through your nostrils, hold and then release through your mouth - remembering to hold in your abdominal muscles.
- Now, lift both arms overhead placing the palms of your hands together in prayer position - stretching from your lower back all the way through your finger tips.
- Once you feel the stretch is complete, slowly lower arms keeping hands in prayer position.
- Now, from the waist, turn to the right grasping back of chair with hands. Feel the stretch, you might ever hear your spine adjust when doing so. Remember to move slowly, so you do not injure yourself. Hold for at least 10 secs. Return to center, slowly turn to left grasping back of chair with hands to stretch your left side. Remember to move slowly, so you do not injure yourself. Hold for at least 10 secs. Return to center.
- Repeat step 3 - Take 3 deep breaths - Breath in through your nostrils, hold and then release through your mouth - remembering to hold in your abdominal muscles.
- Now, look forward and bend your neck backwards to stretch out your throat muscles. Hold for 10 secs returning slowing to forward position.
- Slowly turn your head to the right, hold and then return to center
- Slowly turn your head to the left, hold and then return to center
- Look forward once again stretching neck backwards to stretch out your throat muscles, return to center
- Now, lower chin to chest and hold for another 10 secs.
- Return to center
- Repeat step 3 - Take 3 deep breaths - Breath in through your nostrils, hold and then release through your mouth - remembering to hold in your abdominal muscles.
- Finally, reach your arms all the way back to feel the stretch (if you are able to clasp hands together, this will provide more of a stretch), slowly bringing them forward, clasping fingers together, to feel the stretch all throughout your back.
- Return to straight sitting position.
Repeat this exercise throughout the day - It will help release tension and stress.
You can also do a quick abdominal workout and calf workout while sitting in your chair - We will discuss in future post. Have a blessed and relaxed day!