Relax body tension with 5 simple chair stretches
What's the story
Chair stretching exercises are an easy way to relieve tension, particularly for people who work long hours sitting. These exercises can be done at home or at the office, taking little space and no special equipment. By adding a few simple stretches to your routine, you can increase flexibility, relieve stress, and feel better overall. Here are five amazing chair stretching exercises to relax and relieve tension.
Neck relief
Neck stretch for instant relief
Sitting for long hours can often lead to a stiff neck. To relieve it, sit up straight in your chair and gently tilt your head towards one shoulder until you feel a stretch on the other side of your neck. Hold the position for about 10 seconds before switching sides. This exercise releases tension in the neck muscles and promotes better posture.
Shoulder ease
Shoulder rolls to ease stress
Shoulder rolls are an excellent way to relieve stress accumulated in the upper body. Sit comfortably with your back straight and roll your shoulders forward in a circular motion five times. Then reverse the direction by rolling them backward another five times. This movement helps increase blood circulation and reduces stiffness in the shoulder area.
Forward bend
Seated forward bend for flexibility
The seated forward bend is ideal for enhancing flexibility while seated. Begin by sitting at the edge of your chair with feet flat on the floor. Slowly lean forward from your hips, reaching towards your toes while keeping your back as straight as possible. Hold this position for 10 seconds before returning to an upright position. This stretch targets the lower back and hamstrings.
Spinal twist
Seated spinal twist for core relaxation
A seated spinal twist helps relax core muscles while enhancing spinal mobility. Sit sideways on a chair with feet flat on the ground. Place one hand on the backrest behind you while gently twisting towards it, using support from both hands if required. Hold each side twist for a brief while before switching directions after 10 seconds per side.
Ankle circles
Ankle circles for lower body tension release
Ankle circles are great for releasing lower body tension from sitting for too long; they also improve circulation through legs, down into feet areas, too! Just lift one foot off the ground a little, then rotate the ankle clockwise a few times, then counterclockwise—repeat with the other leg, giving equal attention to both sides in an equally balanced way, so the overall effect is achieved as optimally as possible!