The way in which you choose to spend your morning can have a big impact on the rest of your day. Healthy habits, like eating breakfast and getting enough sleep, can really help you to feel good and increase your productivity. Stretchingis a particularly great way to release tension, avoid chronic pain, and energize your body so that you can face the day with a relaxed and confident attitude!
Here are some gentle and easy stretches that anyone can do to get themselves ready for the morning ahead:
Forward bend. Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Lean forward and let your fingertips hang loosely until your chest extends over your knees.
Shoulder shrug. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and lift them towards your ears. Pause for a couple of seconds and then release. Repeat this motion about ten times.
Neck stretch. Reach over the right side of your head and gently pull the left side away from your shoulder. For a deeper stretch, push your elbow down with your left hand. Do the same with the other side. Back stretch. Reach down the middle of your back with the right hand, with your elbow facing the ceiling. Repeat with the other side. Press-up. While lying on your stomach, place your hands parallel to your chest. Gently lift yourself up with your hands, while keeping your hips on the floor. Hold for five seconds to really work your lower back.
Knee-to-chest. It's just as easy as it sounds! While lying on your back, pull both knees to your chest and hold for thirty seconds.
It's important to know the rules of stretching before you go, lest you run the risk of injuring yourself. Make sure you know your limits because stretching too far too fast can hurt your ligaments. Move slowly and deliberately to the point where you feel a bit of tension, but stop if you experience shooting pain. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds and try to avoid bouncing around when you're in the middle of a pose.
Stretching can not only make your muscles more limber and flexible, but it can also improve your frame of mind. In fact, its benefits have become so widely touted that many organizations and businesses offer morning stretching sessions for employees. Not only will these stretches improve your flexibility and joint health, but you'll be feeling the positive psychological effects almost immediately!
Wrist stretch: Sit tall and raise your right arm in front of you. Bend your wrist up with palm facing forward and fingertips pointing to the ceiling. Keeping your arm straight, gently pull your fingers back (toward you) with your other hand. Hold for 30 seconds. Then bend your wrist down, and pull your fingers forward (toward you) with your left hand, hold for 30 seconds. Repeat with your left arm.
You have inspiered me and I thank you...
I love your site.