4 stretches you should practice when working from home

Team Udayavani, Mar 24, 2020, 5:01 PM IST

Most of the people are now working from home to protect themselves from the Coronavirus Chances are that you’re spending a minimum of 8 hours sitting glued to your laptop, but instead of your usual comfortable work stations at office, you might now be using sofa or kitchen table etc.

Well, it can surely be a fast track ticket towards cramps, aches and pain. Here are a few stretches to combat body stiffness and pain

Hip- release

Sit on the edge of your chair with both feet hip-width apart and directly underneath your knees. Cross one ankle over the opposite knee, and then stretch forward gently.

Sitting slouched over in a C shape position can hurt your lower hip and back, hence this can relieve the pain.

Neck release

Tilt your head toward your right shoulder. Rotate your neck to the left to look up toward the ceiling. Gently pull your head further toward your right shoulder using your right hand. While maintaining that gentle pull, rotate your neck to look down toward the floor.

Do five rotations, looking at the ceiling and then the floor. Breathe deeply and slowly while you move. Release and repeat on the other side.

Our necks are constantly tight from hunching over our computers and phones, which can further lead to jaw pain and headaches.

Doorway stretches

Stand in a doorway and place your right arm on the frame beside you. Keep the elbow bent at 90 degrees.

Lean into the stretch by stepping forward through the doorway with your arm staying in place on the door frame. Hold for 10 full breaths, taking five seconds for each exhale. Switch sides and repeat.

Wrist and shoulder release

As one types on a keyboard and click with a mouse, muscles tighten up. Hence, this exercise will help loosen the muscle.

For your wrists: extend your arm with the palm facing up, then gently pull your fingers down and back with your other hand. Switch hands and repeat. For the shoulders: stretch both arms straight out in front of you and interlace your fingers, then turn your hands so the palms are facing outward. Raise your arms over