Many of us have sedentary jobs – we spend a lot of time sitting. It should come as no surprise that this is not good for your health. That is why it is important to exercise regularly, for example, by going to the gym or walking. Even at work, you need to take breaks fairly often, times when you get away from your desk, get up and get a little exercise by walking around.
But there may be times when you just cannot leave your desk. If you find yourself in this situation, do not despair, there are things you can do right at your desk to help you get the blood pumping, get energized and relieve the stress. Here are a few exercises to help.
1. Arm pushes
This little maneuver helps you to stretch your shoulders and upper arms, which often get tight when sitting for a long time. Here’s what you do. First, hold your arms out in front of you. Bend them at right angles. Then move the arms together across your chest. Grab an elbow with one hand and pull the elbow and arm across your chest. You should feel the pull in your shoulder and upper arm. Do the same with the other arm.
Pull gently and continuously at first for a few moments, then release and do it again.
2. Head movement
This is a simple neck exercise which also helps reduce tightness in your shoulders and upper back. All you do is tilt your head to the left, hold for a few moments, then tilt to the right. Do it as many times as you like.
3. Body turn
For this stretch, you need to sit up straight and raise your arms to about chest level. Then, turn your body first to the left, hold for a few moments, then turn to the right, and hold. Again, do as many times as you like.
4. Shoulder shrugging
This is a good one to get the blood pumping. Keeping your arms at your side, you simply shrug your shoulders in an exaggerated circular motion, forward, up and back. Do it slowly several times and breathe while you do it.
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