Stretch And Decompress
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It’s hard to have a clear mind when you have an aching knot in your back. When we’re stressed, we tend to hold tension in our muscles. Taking time to stretch each day can help relieve some of those aches and pains, allowing your mind to focus on other things.
The stretches you choose don’t have to be long — even five minutes is enough. Take a few minutes during your lunch break to stretch out your neck, arms, back, and legs. You can do any of these stretches even while seated in a chair:
Close your eyes as you do each stretch. Try to focus on the way your body feels — the gentle tug of your muscles, the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe, and the way the chair feels beneath you. Allow each stretch to decompress your mind.
What stretch would you add to our list? Share your go-to stretch with us in the update thread here, in our private Facebook group, or on Twitter, or Instagram (tag us with #healthynurse!).
The stretches you choose don’t have to be long — even five minutes is enough. Take a few minutes during your lunch break to stretch out your neck, arms, back, and legs. You can do any of these stretches even while seated in a chair:
- Upward stretch: Lace your fingers together and push your palms up towards the sky. Keep your arms straight and elongate your spine. Don’t let your shoulders creep up toward your ears. Feel the stretch in your arms, neck, and ribcage.
- Neck and shoulder stretch: Tilt your right ear toward your right shoulder, as if you’re trying to touch the two. Hold for 20 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
- Thigh and hip stretch: Sit up straight in a chair with both feet flat on the floor. Cross one ankle over the other thigh, just above your knee. Press down on the knee of your raised leg towards the floor, and lean your body forward a little. Hold for 15 seconds, then switch sides and repeat as many times as needed.
Close your eyes as you do each stretch. Try to focus on the way your body feels — the gentle tug of your muscles, the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe, and the way the chair feels beneath you. Allow each stretch to decompress your mind.
What stretch would you add to our list? Share your go-to stretch with us in the update thread here, in our private Facebook group, or on Twitter, or Instagram (tag us with #healthynurse!).
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04/21/2023 12:28pm CDT
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