If you’ve worked at a desk or on a computer all day, you’ve likely experienced the ache’s and bad posture from hunching over. This affects many people and often leads to more serious neck and back issues.
Take a break from the computer screen and stretch. These 5 Steps to Your New Healthy Habit are the most effective way to counter the strain on your neck and improve posture.
Sit up tall and pull the belly button against the spine. Hold arms out, as though around a beach ball. One hand in front of the other.
Raise arms and place hands behind head, but don’t lock fingers together – just place one hand over the other.
Keep the chin tucked and neck retracted. Don’t forget the belly button trick to keep sitting tall.
Now, pull your elbows as far back as possible and squeeze your shoulder blades back.
While maintaining chin tucked, neck tall, hands behind head, and elbows back – move arms as far back as possible.
Do NOT move your neck. It’s likely you’ll only be able to move your hands half an inch, maybe one, and you should feel a sore, tight sensation between the shoulder blades. That means you are doing it correctly.
Hold this pose for 15-20 seconds and then rest. Repeat 2 times every hour for a total of 16 times / day, with a rest in between each repetition.
Adding this into to your routine will help prevent neck and back issues and improve posture.
A big thank you to our beautiful friend, Alex Noelani, for modeling, to Valleau Apparel for outfitting and to Blair Kirby for the gorgeous photos.
