4 Simple Stretching Exercises at Your Desk

How to Stretch at Your Desk

Stretching exercises are oh so healthy! The benefits of stretching to our bodies are countless. Desk workers can especially benefit from it. Here are a few of the many health benefits of stretching and how you can do it at your office desk.

Stretching Benefits:

• Increased energy levels.
• Stress relief.
• Improved circulation.
• Improved physical fitness.
• Better range of motion of the joints.
• Decreased muscle tension.
• Relaxation.
• Reduced possibility of injury.
• Increased energy.
• Increased flexibility.
• Can make daily activities easier.
• Relief from pain.
• Better posture.
• Better coordination.
• Greater sense of well-being.

The great news is that you can stretch anywhere and everywhere! Below are 4 simple stretching exercises you can do at your desk.

Try These Simple Stretching Exercises at Work:

Stretching exercises at your desk #1.

Shrug your shoulders. To release the neck and shoulders: inhale deeply and shrug your shoulders, lifting them high up towards your ears. Hold. Release and drop. Repeat three times. Move your head up and down and side to side slowly, “yes” and “no.”

Stretching exercises at your desk #2.

Loosen your hands with air circles: clench both fists, stretching both hands out in front of you. Make circles in the air, first in one direction, to the count of ten. Then reverse it. Shake out the hands.

Stretching exercises at your desk #3.

Grab the seat of your chair to brace yourself and extend your legs straight out in front of you so they are parallel to the floor. Flex and point your toes five times. Release. Repeat three to five times.

Stretching exercises at your desk #4.

Sit on the edge of your chair. Put your feet together, flat on the floor. Lean over, chest to knees, letting your arms dangle loosely to the floor. Release your neck. Now bring your hands behind your legs, right hand grasping left wrist, left hand grasping the right. Feel the stretch in your back, shoulders and neck. Hold. Release your hands to the floor again. Repeat 3 times or as often as it feels good.

Do these desk stretching exercises every few hours to release stress for your work.