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It’s Friday and you've worked hard this week so, how about something easy? It’s the Fast Friday 5 – a quick five things you need to know, served up nice and simple.
It’s 2pm and you’re not sure you’ll make it to quitting time. Before you reach for the caffeine and sweets, try a little desk yoga for a boost of energy.
Here are our favourite five at-your-desk stretches:
1. Torso Twist – Is there someone behind you? Have a look. To perfect this stretch, sit up straight, place your left hand on your left hip, your right hand on the outside of your left knee and look over you left shoulder and hold for a few deep breaths. Remember to repeat on the opposite side or you’ll be making left turns unwittingly for the rest of the day.
2. Wrist Wrack – Typing a big report? Avoid carpal tunnel syndrome by cocking your wrist with your arm straight out in front of you and pulling gently back with the other hand. Now flip it down, like your presenting your hand for someone to kiss, and pull gently back. Give extra love to your mouse clicking hand, it works so hard.
3. Yesman – Nobody likes a yesman, but this stretch will have you saying oh, yeah. With your back straight and your shoulder’s down, tuck your chin into your chest for 30 seconds. And, because you always want to contemplate the suggestion before saying yes, bring your head back up, move your ear to your shoulder (keeping those shoulders down) on both sides. Hmmm, thinking, thinking, we say yes!
4. OMG Face – This one is best performed if you’ve got a fairly private cubicle or a fun group who might join in. Studies have shown that stretching face muscles is a great way to feel more awake. Simply (quietly) exaggerate all of the vowels, starting with ‘O’. As an added bonus, you’ll be tightening your skin and scaring off wrinkles.
5. Hip Helpers – Ever gotten up after an extended sitting session and felt like you’d aged two decades? Open up those hips by sitting up straight, sliding your chair back, placing your right ankle on your left knee, keeping your left foot flat on the floor. Try to get your right leg parallel to the floor. For an extra stretch - lean forward keeping the back straight. Goodness glutes, that feels great!
A few minutes of fun stretches gets the blood flowing and the brain percolating. Bring on the rest of the day!
Make the Fast Friday 5 list grow. Tell us your fave at-your-desk stretches to keep you going.
