Six Simple Stretches To Support Your Spine When You are "Suddenly Working From Home"
Photo by Dane Wetton on Unsplash
If you have been sent home from the #office to #workfromhome there are some things you might want to know from someone who has been doing it since 2003! Top priority is to take care of your health and well being and there is nothing more valuable and precious to preserve than SPINAL Health!
I’ve been practicing yoga since 2001 and have had a lot of back issues over the years as a result of sitting to long in the wrong posture. Now that you are working from home you may not have the modern “ergonomic” furniture that you are used to from the office either so you want to be sure to not let your spinal health suffer. We need our body to be in the best shape in order for us to serve.
Here are my favorite simple stretches that I do on the regular to help support my spine. I recommend that you set a timer on your phone during working hours to take short spinal stretch breaks so you don’t get sucked in to social media or staying on your computer too long and lose sight of self care.
Stretch #1 – Side Bend
Stand up – clasp hands together – bend to one side and hold for a few breaths – bend to the other side and hold for a few breaths. Simple to do and so much fun to do it outside in the tall grass!
Stretch 2 – Ragdoll
Stand Up – bend over – you can grasp your elbows if you like – let the stress and tension just flow off your back – doing this outside by the water is refreshing too!
Stretch #3 - Seated Twist
Sit cross legged on the floor - twist to the left placing your left hand on the floor behind you and your right hand on your knee - hold for a few breaths then repeat on the other side. While you are sitting on the floor notice how grounded and present you feel.
Stretch #4 - Seated Hamstring Stretch
Sit on the ground and spread your legs as wide as you can. Lean over to the left and if possible grab your toes and hold for several breaths. Switch to the right and do the same. Maybe do this at the track and then get up and go for a little run!
Stretch #5 Standing Back Bend
Stand tall with your feet about hip width apart. Put your hands together in prayer and lift them above your head and lean back slightly. Hold for a few breaths. Feel your feet on the ground and your spine igniting. Feel free to follow this with stretch #2 Ragdoll.
Stretch #6 - Downward Facing Dog
Stand with feet hip width apart. Place your hands on the ground in front of you about 3 - 4 feet from your toes. Try to get your heels onto the floor stretching hamstrings and low back. Definitely consider doing this in an exotic location in your home or yard where you can let the sunshine fall on your bottom! Multiple times a day is highly recommended.
Since you are at home your animals may have some suggested poses to offer you too!
Anjel B Hartwell is an internationally known speaker, mentor and Top 50 ranked Podcast Host of the Men On Purpose Podcast & the Top 75 Ranked Wickedly Smart Women Podcast. She quit the corner office and has been a “Work From Home” entrepreneur for almost 20 years. She cashes in from her couch primarily using Virtual Speaking to spread her message, make money & mentor her clients worldwide who have collectively generated in excess of $55,000,000 in revenues. Discover your Speaker MAGIC Archetype and apply to get a free download of her new book Be Heard By Millions & Live Your Destiny – A Creative Age Leader’s Guide to Speak, Sell, Serve & Succeed by taking her new quiz at quiz.beheardbymillions.com