Having a good stretch once or twice a day feels good and can help prevent injuries (flexible muscles can do more), improve your posture (and as a result help with back pain), increase blood and nutrients to your muscles, and help you to feel less stressed. Massage and stretching are both really helpful ways to keep your muscles relaxed and reduce tension.
Daily stretching – to a point where you can just feel it pulling on your muscles – can really help to increase your flexibility and you can feel the effects in a matter of a few weeks.
Enjoying a regular massage helps to keep your body relaxed and flexible. Massage can release trigger points and muscles in spasm, making your stretching routine even more effective.
For those of you back at your desk this week here are 3 quick stretches you could try at work:
1. Clasp your hands behind you and pull back to stretch your chest.
2. Hold your right arm in front and across your body. Using your left arm push your right arm towards your chest. Repeat on the other side.
3. Stretch your neck from side to side or do neck rolls.
Remember to take regular breaks from your screen and desk!!
When you get home here are another 3 quick stretches to try:
1. Spinal Stretch – lie on your back, bring your knee to your chest and then across your body. Your right knee will go over to the left side of your body. Hold this for at least 30 seconds. Then stretch the other side.
2. Forward bend – sit with your legs straight out in front of you, stretch your arms up to the sky and then bend forward as far as you can.
3. Spinal Twist – still sitting with your legs in front of you, bend one knee to your chest then twist your body and hug your bent leg.
So let’s add stretching and massage to your self-care goals this year to improve flexibility and reduce tension!
