They say that sitting is the new smoking!
If you work in an office, then chances are you’re spending a minimum of 8 hours sitting down – that’s 40 hours a week.
And if you think sitting is harmless, there are a lot of scientific and medical studies that it is actually a health risk. So next time you’re feeling a bit fidgety or you’re on your lunch break, try these 15 office stretching exercises. They’re simple, quick, AND they’ll give you that much-needed boost you need to increase your productivity.
Hunching over your desk can strain the cervical spine and stiffen our shoulders. Try reaching your arms behind you, interlocking your fingers and lifting your arms. You should feel this stretch in your chest and shoulders.
If you don’t sit properly (Slouching, uneven weight on your legs, thighs or butt) you could be reducing the ability for blood to circulate properly, especially in your legs. Remaining seated, extend your legs and reach down towards your toes.
This one is something that we do most of the time and it’s also easy. Doing this is just a natural stretch that we all do when we’re feeling a bit stiff and tired. Simply raise your arms above your head, interlock your fingers and push away from yourself. I assure you. It will give you instant comfort.
This one is for those of you who spend all day typing. Here in the office of TEAM PRC, most of us are guilty. Simply stand up and place your wrists on the desk so they face away from you, and apply pressure until you feel the stretch. Hold for a few seconds, and then follow with some wrist circles.
When you spend all day sitting down, you lose a lot of your mobility and balance. Using the desk for support, stand up and raise your leg behind you, grabbing hold of the ankle (or your shin if you can’t quite reach). Lift the leg as high as you can keeping your knee bent at a right angle. Hold for a few seconds then repeat on the other leg.
Stand several feet behind your chair. Raise both arms overhead and ‘hinge’ forward from your hips, keeping your back straight. Hold on to the back of the chair to keep steady for a few seconds, then rise back up to stand straight.
You may feel awkward doing stretching exercises at your desk. But right now, as you sit there at your computer, you are doing one of the worst things you can do to your body — you’re sitting still. And not only that, but the way you sit — and type, and hold the phone — may be damaging to your bones, joints, and muscles. These simple stretching exercises at your desk can release tension from head to toe. And at the same time, it can boost efficiency and productivity. Do yourself a favor and give your body the stretch that they need. They take only a few minutes.
With additional reports: webmd.com, Susan Liger, Lifehack.org, Louise Dickens
Photo Source: venuee.co
