Sitting at a computer all day is terrible for your body, which is designed to move around and be active (whether you agree or not!). Staying still, paired with the activities of typing and holding a phone, can cause medical problems, particularly associated with bone, joint and muscle health. At the very least, sitting still all day tenses up your body. In order to relieve this tension and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and other ergonomic issues, it’s best to break up your day by stretching every hour or two. And the best part? You can stretch right at your desk! Here’s how.
1. Stand and sit several times without using your hands to support your weight. Repeat this exercise ten to twenty times to get your blood pumping and reduce stiffness. You can even do it while you’re on the phone and no one will ever know.
2. Clench your fists and hold your arms out in front of you. Turn your fists in circles for ten to thirty seconds, then turn them in the other direction for the same amount of time. When you’re done, shake out your hands to loosen up the muscles.
3. Inhale deeply and lift your shoulders all the way up to your ears. Hold for ten seconds, release and repeat two more times. Slowly shake your head up and down and side to side a few times. This relaxes your shoulders and neck.
4. Extend your arms in front of you with your fingers pointed down toward the floor. Hold for ten and then point your fingers up toward the ceiling. Hold for ten. To increase the stretch, extend one arm at a time and use the other hand to push your fingers down or pull them up. Try it and feel the difference it makes.
5. Grab the armrests or the seat of your chair for balance and extend your legs straight out in front of you until they are parallel with the floor. Flex and point your toes five to ten times. Release and repeat the whole exercise two more times.
Your overall wellness doesn’t stop with a few stretches. Call Insurance Beacon at (623) 584-0071 for more information on Phoenix health insurance.