Thursday, December 4, 2008

Helpful Stretches for Your Mini Work Break


It is recommended that you should take a mini-break every 45 to 60 minutes. While you are on your break, try some of these stretches. It will help you relax those tense muscles.




























































Whole Body Stretch: Stand and stretch your arms overhead for 10 to 20 seconds. Repeat 3 times.
Shoulder-Blade Pinch: With your fingers interlaced behind your head, pinch your shoulder blades together for 8 to 10 seconds. Repeat several times.
Shoulder Rolls: Slowly roll your shoulders 5 times, forward, then 5 times backward.
Triceps Stretches: Holding your left elbow with your right hand, gently pull your left elbow behind your head until you feel a stretch (your left hand should rest gently on the base of your neck). Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat in the opposite direction. (If it’s too hard to start with a 30 second stretch, do 3 sets of 10-second stretches or 2 at 15 seconds.)
Hug Stretches: Grasp your right elbow in the palm of your left hand. Pull your arm across your body, as if you are bugging someone. Hold for 15 to 20 seconds. Repeat in the opposite direction.
Chin Tucks: Keep your head level and pull your chin down as if you were making a double chin. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 3 times.

Arm and Hand Shakes: With your arms hanging loosely at your sides, shake your arms gently for 5 to 10 seconds.
Trapezius Stretches: Sit on both hands, palms up. Tiltyour head to one shoulder and hold this position for 10 seconds. Repeat 3 times for each shoulder.
Hand Stretch: Make a fist with each hand, but don’t squeeze. With your fingers bent, straighten your hand only to the first set of knuckles. Hold for 3 seconds, then straighten your fingers. Repeat 3 times.
Wrist Circles: Without moving your arms,slowly circle your hands, 3 times in each direction.
Wrist Raises: Without moving your arms, slowly raise and lower your hands 5 times.
Slow and Fast Blinks: Blink slowly, allowing your eyes to stay closed for a few seconds. Repeat 10 times. Then blink lightly and quickly 10 times. End with a relaxing temple massage.
Shift Focus: Find the object that is farthest away from you and focus on it for 5 to 10 seconds. Blink and breath deeply. Then look back at your screen. Repeat 3 times.
Close Your Eyes: close your eyes and cover them the palms of your hand for to 30 seconds. Take long, slow, deep breathes. Relax your face, brow and Don’t squeeze your eyes shut.

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