We sit far too much every day and it’s killing us, very slowly, a slow agonizing death. So your reminder is to not sit more than 35-45 minutes without getting up and stretching for 5 minutes.
Turns out research is indicating that your brain needs a break too. Scientists are now saying that you should take a mental break every 35 minutes or so. Even sooner if you are doing heavy brain work.
What a coincident, 2 breaks for the price of 1, think how strong you’ll feel each day with all of these breaks. Now I know what your boss will be saying “gee it sure looks like you’re taking a lot of breaks?” and now you can respond that you want to be strong and productive for them ALL day long, not just in the morning.
While you are on these breaks try doing some stretches to really get the blood flowing. We’ll examine a couple each week. You can check them all out at our website here:Â www.interiordimension.com/deskercising.
Before we begin, you may be interested to know that research is looking at stretching at the office very fondly. It has shown to make you feel better, increase your sense of attractiveness and self-worth, reduce pain by 72 percent and relieve physical and mental stress. What more do you need to get going with it?
Let’s start with the Daydream.
Start by putting one arm overhead and reach back like you are going to scratch the top of your back. With the other arm reach up and grab the elbow and pull gently. This will stretch out your tricep and side muscles. Hold for a count of 10-15 and then switch arms. You can do this either in a seated position or standing up.
Next Up or Down as it were, The Carpet Gazer
While sitting in your chair stretch out your legs straight, bend at the waist and reach for your toes. Stretch as far a comfortable and then just a little more. Stay like this for 20 seconds and pretend you are looking for that lost piece of candy, popcorn or attempting to see the answer to the universe in the carpet patterns or dirt stains in the carpet. After 20 seconds straighten back up and relax for a few seconds before doing this again. Repeat several times or until the answer to the universe is revealed to you, whichever comes first.
That’s enough for today. Look for your next installment next week around the same time. Feel free to pass this email on to anyone you feel can use it, bosses, coworkers, family, friends, neighbors, people you just met in the elevator for the first time, be generous.