Stretching is a good way to keep yourself healthy as these exercises are easy to do and can be done without any special equipment, any time anywhere.
The head to neck stretch:
This stretch can be performed even in your office chair. Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and keeping the back as straight as possible place your right palm over the left side of your head and gently tilt your head your head down to the right shoulder aided by gentle pressure from the right hand, gradually until your right ear touches your right shoulder. Hold for ten seconds and repeat similarly with the other side. This stretch exercises the neck thoroughly and eliminates any chronic neck pain due to faulty sitting habits.
The joined palms stretch.
The beauty of this stretch is that it can be done either sitting in a chair or standing up or even seated cross-legged on the floor. Keeping the back straight, raise both hands from near your ears and stretch fingers. Taking a few deep breaths now join the palms of both hands and hold the stretch for as long as possible. Breathing can be a little laboured initially but with practice, this stretch facilitates deep diaphragmatic breathing thus keeping anxiety at bay. While extending, keep the fingers nice and straight. Now as the hands are held ramrod straight, it exercises the elbow joint and the entire spine benefits from a very relaxing stretch.
The straight-legged approach
This is a stretch which is to be done standing up. Stand straight and look straight ahead. Make sure you are not slouching and then bend your right leg at the knee and clasping it with both hands at the knee bring it up slightly above hip level. Mind you, at this point you probably will be struggling to keep your balance but with practice this can be overcome and then you will be standing on one leg with the other firmly in a knee clasp and flexed at hip level. This stretches the entire pelvic and thigh region and keeps the legs in fine tone while promoting balance and distressing the mind. Repeat with the other leg and hold till comfortable.
These are some basic stretches, there are many more but remember:
Stress is really an important factor governing our lives today. So the best thing would be not to stretch your luck but stretch your bodies instead.
