Sitting at a desk all day staring at a computer screen can take a toll on your body. It’s important to stretch and make sure your muscles aren’t tightening up, especially when you don’t have time to get a massage. Whether your desk is in an office, at home, or in a coffee shop, these six deskercises can be done to help get your blood pumping and your muscles moving.
Shoulder stretch:
- Stretch your arms into the air for a few seconds to stretch your shoulders. Then while stretching, grab your left hand with your right, then lightly pull to the right for 10-15 seconds. Then switch and repeat stretching the opposite direction.
Leg stretch:
- While seated at your desk extend your legs my pointing your toes to stretch out your hamstring. Also, avoid sitting cross-legged all day because it puts pressure on your knees. When you do get up to walk around, do some toe touches or a calf stretch against the wall.
Neck stretch:
- Stretch out your neck while seated on a chair, cross your arms over and hang on to the chair between your legs. Let your head fall forward and then lean backwards.
Core stretch:
- Side swivels help you strengthen you core. Sit upright with your feet hovering over the floor. Grab onto your desk and use your core to swivel from side to side.
Bicep stretch:
- Do bag curls by starting with your bag in you hand and your hand by your thigh. Bend your elbow and curl your arm up, pause, then lower your arm.
Quad stretch:
- Sit on the edge of your chair. Then stand up and sit down without using your hands. Make sure to stick out your bottom and that your knees never cross over your toes.
It can be hard to keep moving throughout the day with a desk job but these “deskercises” will help keep your muscles active and your blood flowing regularly and on the days that theses moves aren’t quite cutting it, you can always schedule a massage with Northwest Therapeutic Massage.
