- Make It Yourself Lavender Heart-Shaped Bath Bombs!
- 20 Things You Never Knew About “Down There”
- 12 Best Foods For Those Suffering From Arthritis Pain
- 12 Personal Hygiene Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes (Mom Never Told You About #4!)
- 15 Medicinal Plants And Herbs From The Cherokee People
- 12 Mind-Blowing Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy
- 12 Outstanding Winter Foods That Won’t Fatten You Up Like A Christmas Turkey
9 Easy Stretches for Shoulder and Neck Tension
Photo credit: huffingtonpost
At one point or another, you’re going to start feeling some tension and tightness in your neck and shoulders. Most of us work hunched over in front of computers all day and drive long hours just to get to work and unless you have perfect posture, the muscles supporting your neck and shoulders really takes a beating.
There are ways to help alleviate that discomfort. In fact you can usually prevent it from occurring to begin with. Before you head to the chiropractor, get in the habit of stretching on a regular basis. If you spend just a few minutes every day to both relax, as well as lengthen, your muscles, you will find that they will work well for you day in and day out.
Perform each stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds and a maximum of 1 minute, in sets of 3.
1. Triangle
Stand with your feet wider than hip width apart. Place your right toes out and the left toes point in. Extend your arms and place them at shoulder height. As you shift your torso forward over your right leg, your torso will eventually be parallel to the ground. Put your right hand on your right knee as you extend your left arm towards the sky. Hold for at least 30 seconds for each side.
2. Shoulder Rolls
If you’ve been sitting in the same position for a long time, this movement will relieve all the tension in your shoulders and upper back.
Sit upright and inhale as you lift your right shoulder to the right ear. Exhale as you roll your shoulder slowly around and back, letting it drop away from your ear. Continue this move 3 times, alternating right and left shoulders.
Then, inhale as you lift both shoulders to your ears simultaneously. Exhale as your drop them. Repeat this movement 5 times. Read also how to lower back pain.
3. Chest Expansion
Put your right foot forward and your left foot back. Bend your right knee until it is directly above your ankle. Clasp hands behind your back and you lift your chest up and out. Fall forward slowly towards that right leg but keep your arms straight, your hands clasped. Keep your spine straight by gazing at the floor. Hold for a minimum of 30 seconds each side.
4. Chair Twist
This is a great move for releasing the tension in your back, especially the middle back. After you have been sitting for a long period of time, this will feel really great!
Sit towards the front of your chair and rotate your thighs towards the right side so you are actually sitting diagonally in the chair. Lift your right arm towards the ceiling. As you exhale, move your arm to the back of the chair on the opposite side, actually holding on to the chair backrest. Bring your left hand to the right knee and inhale. Exhale, and then twist to the right, pressing your right hand to really deepen that twist. Breathe deeply and stay in this position for 5 or 10 breaths. Then repeat on the opposite side.
YOU WILL ALSO LIKE: If Only Do 12 Yoga Poses Do These
5. Side Stretch
This is a great one to relieve the tension in your wrists from typing all day, as well as stretch your sides and lower back tightness.
Stand with feet hip-width apart. Inhale as you stretch your arms out the sides. Lift your arms over your head with your palms facing one another. Exhale as you take hold of the left wrist with your right hand. Inhale and stretch the fingers of the left hand towards the ceiling, then exhale as you pull your left arm over the right side. Keep your head and left arm in alignment with your body. You are sure to feel this stretch on your entire left side from hip to fingertips. Exhale and switch sides. Do twice on each side.
Continue to Page 2
