How to Keep Fit At Your Desk
by Karen Rollins Feb 27, 2023
Anyone who spends hours sitting at a desk, hunched over a computer, knows it can lead to bad posture as well as long term issues such as neck and back pain.
Finding time to get up and walk around and give yourself a break from the office chair can be difficult, especially if you have a busy schedule, but there are some simple exercises you can actually do at your desk which will benefit your body and mind.
Leg strengthening:
Sit slightly forward in your chair, away from the backrest, and lift one leg at a time a few inches off the ground. Tighten your leg and core muscles and hold for 10-15 seconds. Relax and repeat up to ten times on each leg.
Core breathing:
Let your torso expand with air, like a balloon, and slowly inhale through the nose. While exhaling through the mouth, concentrate on pulling your belly button in tight towards your spine. Hold for three to five seconds and then repeat.
Glutes tightening:
Sit up straight in your chair and plant your feet flat on the ground. Tighten the muscles in your buttocks and hold for five to 10 seconds so you are raised up slightly on the seat. Relax and repeat up to 10-15 times a day.
Neck flexing:
Sit up straight in your chair and bend your ear towards your shoulder on the left side and hold for three seconds, come back to the middle, and then lean over to the right and repeat. Continue until you feel less tightness in your neck muscles.
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We hope these exercises are helpful but remember, desk breaks are important, so try to get up and move away from the computer screen on a frequent basis throughout the day.
