The benefits of stretching are endless. Whether you want to improve your posture, relieve stress, prevent injury or ease an aching back, stretching is the perfect addition to your morning routine. The question is: how can you incorporate them into your desk job? This article will cover some great stretches you can do right then and there.
An Important Fact to Remember About Sitting At a Desk All Day
Most people who work full-time don’t have an option about where they work, and for how many hours a day they work—and this usually results in a desk job. While sitting down for 8+ hours a day may not seem like a big deal, it just may be for your overall health. According to Sharon Hame, associate clinical professor of UCLA’s orthopedic surgery department, people who sit for hours each day run the risk of serious medical ailments.
“We’re seeing more things than carpal tunnel; those pains go up the arm to the elbow and shoulder and then translate to the neck and back. It’s a huge problem.” Stretch while you send spreadsheets, upload software on your computer, or simply talk to your co-workers. It could prevent injury, and improve your joint comfort and health for years to come!
Use an Exercise Ball For a Chair
Get your stretch and your exercise with one, easy move! All you have to do is replace your chair with an exercise ball. The exercise ball won’t allow you to ‘slouch’ (after all, there’s nothing for your back to lean against), and you’ll to use multiple muscles groups to remain upright and balanced. Because you’ll have to balance yourself throughout the day, you’ll consequently force your core to contract—thus, building your core muscles all day long!
Hug Your Body
Grab your torso with both hands and give yourself a big hug (wrapping your hands around your torso as far as you can go!) Next, grab the back of your chair with your left hand and twist as far as you can comfortably to the left. Repeat with the right side.
Make Circles With Your Wrist
While you’re waiting for that email to come through from your team, take a minute to exercise your wrist by moving them slowly in circles (this is also a helpful way to avoid carpal tunnel). Do the same thing with your shoulders, and neck. Rotate each shoulder (either one by one, or at the same time) in slow circles. It’ll feel great, and improve your range of motion at the same time.
When you try the above stretches, you might find that working at your desk has never felt so good!
