By Penny Nolton
The following stretches are great for doing at your desk, especially when your neck and shoulders are tight from being at the computer! Make sure you try to keep good posture at your desk to avoid slouching, headaches or back pain.
Neck Rolls
Often the tightest muscles in the body after working on a computer for hours are the neck muscles. Sit upright with a straight back and let you chin drop towards your chest. Slowly roll your head around to the side, to the back, the other side and to the front again. Do this a few times then roll in the opposite direction.
Shoulder Rolls
Start by shrugging the shoulders up to your ears and then slowly rolling them back.? Make big circles for about 30 seconds and then do the circles in the other direction for 30 seconds. Repeat as many times as you like.
Seated Twist
Keeping your hips evenly planted in your chair and your knees in line with each other, inhale and place your left hand on the right side of your chair. As you exhale, tense your stomach muscles and twist with the upper part of your spine, placing your right hand on the back of the chair. Release back to centre. Repeat on the opposite side.
Upper Back and Shoulder Stretch
From a seated position bring your left elbow up to the side of your head with your hand facing down your spine. Use your right hand to draw your left elbow over to the right as your hand moves further down your spine. If it’s comfortable you can bend your right arm and bring your right hand up to clasp your left hand. Hold for 60 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side.
