It’s 2:30 P.M. and you’ve been sitting in front of that computer all day. You ate lunch and felt pretty good while putting the fork to your 
mouth but now things are going downhill. You haven't fellen for the '5 hour energy' marketing ploy at this point and so there you are…just as sleepy as you can be. You debate running to get yet another cup of coffee to stay alert; but what you really want to do is crawl under your desk and take a nap.
This is the time to do some revitalization stretches going to boost your energy. And you can do it without the coffee, without the tea and without the 5 hour energy! We have all been there, tensely sitting at our desks in front of a computer monitor for hours. Our wrists start to hurt, our necks get sore, we slump over in our chairs and our shoulders and upper backs feel tight.
The good news is this. There are a few great stretches you can do that will increase you blood flow and stretch out those stressed out muscles so you feel looser and more awake in a flash. Give them a try this week
- Shoulder Stretch Lift your shoulders up to your ears until you feel a slight tension in your neck and shoulders. Hold for 3-5 seconds and relax shoulders. Do this 2-3 times at first sign of shoulder or neck tension.
- Neck Stretch Tilt your head to one side, trying to touch your ear to your shoulder. Hold the stretch for 10-20 seconds and then return to normal. Repeat the stretch on the other side.
- Spine Stretch Raise arms over head. Stretch your right hand to the ceiling and hold for 3-5 seconds, while you exhale. Relax. Repeat with the left hand.
- Lower Back Stretch Place your hands on the edge of your desk and roll your chair back. Lower your head between your outstretched arms and arch your back while you exhale. Inhale, raise your head and arch your back in the other direction.
Do these exercises whenever you first notice the tension or stress from impending deadlines or long periods of sitting. While they’ll never take the place of your adjustments from your local chiropractor, they’ll help keep you alert without resorting to caffeine or a sugar fix.
Dr. Daron Stegall is a local chiropractor at Health Coach Wellness & Vitality Centre in Downtown Phoenix Arizona. He can be reached at 602.257.4520 or contact him through the website at www.healthcoachaz.com
3 comments
carolinaaram says:
August 8, 2011 at 3:07 pm (UTC 0)
Hello,
Thank for a sharing such a valuable article with us.
I like the the 4 exercises that you have suggest in the article. I must say its a awesome article.
Dr Daron Stegall and Staff says:
August 9, 2011 at 6:26 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks Carolina! Dr. Lee
marinos auto repair says:
October 24, 2011 at 6:50 pm (UTC 0)
Those are some great tips on stretching. Thanks.