Being home all the time is a pain in the neck, but there’s no reason that has to be true literally.
Working from home, supervising children’s schoolwork, or just being cooped up can contribute to a buildup of tension. Mental stress can cause us to hold our breath, hunch our shoulders and clench our jaws. Worry about the future can have us constantly bent over our phones, or boredom can have us slouched in front of the television.
All of this leads to discomfort in the shoulders, neck and back. What can you do to help?
Until things get back to normal, a few simple stretches can relieve some of that physical tension. Dana Odom and Sarah Crowe, owners of StretchLab Cary, recommend the following easy moves:
Neck Stretch: Look forward while keeping your head up. Slowly move your ear towards your shoulder while keeping your hands behind your back. Breathe deeply, hold for 30 to 60 seconds, and then repeat on the other side.
Release Your Back: Sit on the ground with your legs straight out in front or at 45 degrees apart. Keep your toes pointing upwards and rest your arms by your side or on your lap. Relax your back and neck and let your head and chest fall forward. Breathe deeply, hold for 60 seconds, and then relax.
Give Your Hips a Stretch: Lie on your back and cross one leg over the other. Keep your arms out to the side and both legs straight. Let your back and hips rotate with your leg. Breathe deeply, hold for 30 to 60 seconds, and then repeat on the other side.
Lengthen Your Entire Body: Lie on your back and extend your arms behind you. Keep your toes pointing upwards and lengthen your body as much as you can. Breathe deeply, hold for 30 to 60 seconds, and then relax.
