With 74% of the UK ‘overwhelmed’ or unable to cope at some point in the past year, taking care of your mental health has never been more important.
Yoga has been scientifically proven to relieve stress, improve mental health and reduce anxiety*. Stretching at your desk has huge benefits to both body and mind, increasing your serotonin levels to help stabilise your mood.
Office furniture suppliers, Furniture At Work, have put together five simple yoga poses you can do in the office or at home.
1. Chair Cat-Cow Stretch
28% of back pain is lower back pain. The cat cow stretch is a way of relieving this pain, and it also provides a range of other benefits like improved posture and balance. It strengthens and stretches the spine and neck, massages and stimulates organs in the stomach, and creates emotional balance and calms the mind.
2. Chair Raised Arms & Legs
This pose improves posture, increases the flexibility of your shoulders and armpits, and reduces stress, anxiety, and tension. It’s a great position for early in the morning helping you feel relaxed and motivated, the relief in muscle tension will also boost your mood.
3. Chair C-Stretch
This stretch will help you build balance and core strength. It can also help you develop better concentration and relieve low backache or sciatica. When you unwind, you’ll find it isn’t just your body that feels untangled, but your mind and spirit too.
4. Chair Spinal Twist
Spinal twists relieve back pain and stiffness, rotating the spine and helping restore a natural range of motion. Holding this position will also create space between the vertebrae, giving us an instant energy lift. When there’s a lack of space our spine tends to slump or get stuck, and this can cause our energy levels to drop.
5. Seated Hamstring Stretch
Seated hamstring stretches are easy to do and provide a range of benefits for your lower body. It will help improve your balance, strength, and flexibility, while keeping your spine in proper alignment. Avoiding injury and discomforts will relieve stress and help you stay comfortable at work.
