If you are like me, you harbor the resentment of having to work a 9-5 in your neck and shoulders, which causes pain and discomfort. Sometimes I feel cramps in my neck and my shoulder. NO matter what I do, no matter which way I position my chair or mouse, my neck hurts!
I did some Internet research and found a few "exercise at your desk" moves that actually relieve my neck and shoulder pain for a while. Hope they help you too:
1) Deep breathing
Anxiety alters our natural breathing pattern. I know every time "shufflefoot," my nosy co-worker approaches, my heart beats a little faster. I calm myself by inhaling as deeply as I can then hold that breath for as long as is comfortable. Next, I exhale slowly until my diaphragm is completely emptied. If you breathe in this mindful manner, focusing on nothing but your breathing and how good it feels to relax, for several minutes, you’ll be amazed at how much more relaxed you’ll feel after even just a few minutes.
2)Play a game
There are stress-relieving video games available for download to your phone (Blackberry or iPhone included). Do a Google search and see what you come up with. If all else fails, play Solitaire on your desktop during lunch. It really does help.
3) Stretch
I know you can't do an all out head-to-toes stretch in your cubicle, or in the middle of your office common area (well you can as long as you don't mind people staring), but there are some discreet stretches that can be done right in your office chair!
Neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, wrist and ankle rotations, and calf flexing are just a few examples of places that can be loosened without bringing too much attention to yourself. Try tensing and releasing each muscle group independently, working through your entire body. It really works!
4) Get the hell out of your chair
By simply walking, you’ll get those endorphins flowing and will release tension. Its easy to fit it in. Try using the bathroom farthest from your cube, or taking the stairs when you go to lunch. If the weather's nice, take a 10-minute stroll around outside. It's good to get some fresh air and look at it this way, that's 10 minutes away from your nose-picking boss and slacker cube-mate!
5) Touch yourself
Use the power of touch to melt that tension away. How? With the tips of your fingers.
Place the tips of your middle and forefingers at your temples, and massage in small circles with firm pressure. This also works on the hinges of your jaw. You would be surprised at how much tension is held in the jaw. It feels good to loosen those muscles up too. You can open your mouth really wide (as if you're yawning) for good measure. Do that while you massage, and you are guaranteed to feel better! We promise.
That's all for now. Hope this helps until you hit the lottery, curse out everyone that has ever done you wrong at the job and finally take that cruise around the world! It's a fantasy but we believe that one day you'll get out of the godforsaken office you have to schlep to daily. Oh yes, we can see it now, the sandy beaches, crystal blue waters.... well, you get the drift.
If you want more details about relieving stress at work, look it up! I'm trying my best NOT to work that hard...
-the Guru
2 comments:
Number 4 keeps me from throwing my pc out the window. I usually take my personal calls out in the hallway. I work in a suite without cubicles, just desks which means there is no privacy. So that gives me a reason to get out of my chair and walk around.
I work in the SAME environment and its true, you HAVE to get out for lunch or something, or the ppl around you will drive you NUTS!
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