Stretch & Strengthen Monday:
Anywhere. Any time. Almost anyone. That’s the stretch we’d like to offer you.
In fact, we plan to present you with a weekly stretch and/or strengthen exercise that you can do in a matter of seconds. If you add it up, over time you’ll have a library of many exercises you can do to improve your health one step at a time, and all told could keep you busy for hours!
I’ve already given you one idea which is to lift your arms over your head and then bend to the side (see earlier post). The funny thing is… That post ended with the directive to “exhale” and two of my colleagues read that as the emphasis. It’s true a good sigh or exhale is truly important, no matter what came before it. And, if you can preface that fabulous exhale with a stretch…. all the better. After all, you have to INHALE to an exhale; and that, my friend, is balance!
So this week, let’s consider every heavy sigh an anchor to a new stress management tool. When you sigh, stop and rewind. Do it again, but before you do, stand up (if you’re not already). Take a deep breath in and lift your arms up over your head (see picture). Exhale and gently bend to one side (even if it’s just a millimeter, that’s okay). Inhale and come back to center. Exhale and bend to the other side. Keep your hips and shoulders forward (square in front of you) as you bend sideways. Inhale back to center. Exhale and drop your arms to your side.
Come to think of it, if you had to, you could even do this while seated – just remember to sit up straight.
Doesn’t it feel good? Come on, admit it! It takes no more than 30 seconds and it will make you one hundred percent better prepared to face your next task.
Stay tuned for more exercises that have a big payoff. In the meantime, let us know how you fit this stretch into your daily routine.