4 Stretches You Should Know About

Whether you’re sitting at a desk or behind the wheel, sitting down for long periods of time can do more harm than you think. As you move more for better health, stretching will help alleviate any sore or tight muscles. Here are a few stretches to start with:

Chest and shoulder stretch
How to: Reach your right arm down and grip the side of your chair. Tilt your head to the left feeling a gentle stretch down the side of your neck. Hold this stretch for 15 to 30 seconds and then repeat on the other side.

Spinal twist
How to: With your feet flat on the floor, contract your abs and begin to rotate your upper body toward the right. Place your left hand on the outside of your right knee. Place the right hand on either the armrest or seatback to help deepen the stretch. Only twist as far as you feel comfortable. Even a small rotation can make a big difference. Hold this stretch for 15 to 30 seconds and then repeat on the other side.

Back extension
How to: Scoot back in your chair with your back resting comfortably against the backrest. Place the palms of your hands at the back of your neck. Lean back over your backrest keeping your elbows wide until you feel a gentle stretch across the back and chest. Hold this stretch for 10 to 15 seconds.

Wrist Stretch

How to: Extend your right arm straight out in front of you with your palm up. Flex your wrist pointing your finger tips toward the floor. Using your left hand, pull back on your fingers to deepen the stretch until you feel a stretch up your arm. Hold this stretch for 15 to 30 seconds then repeat on the other side. Repeat this stretch with your palm facing down and flexing the fingers upward.