STRETCHING EXERCISES TO RELAX AFTER A STRESSFUL DAY
So, do these stretching exercises daily:
1. Toe lifts
This exercise can strengthen your feet and improve your balance.
Here’s how you can do this exercise:
- Stand with your feet about hip-width apart, keep your back straight and look forward.
- Lift your toes up off the ground.
- Hold the pose for one to two seconds.
- Continue breathing.
- Lower your toes.
Repeat six times, and do three sets a day.
2. Upper body stretch
This exercise is especially beneficial for those who work the whole day sitting in a chair or standing. They tend to suffer from severe back pain throughout their lives. Take short breaks of five minutes every one to two hours and perform this exercise.
Here’s how you can do this exercise:
- Puff out your chest as much as you can and clasp your hands behind your back.
- Take deep breaths simultaneously and let go of the anxiety.
- If you do this regularly, it will work like magic for your stress and your back.
3. Forward bend
It stretches your hip muscles, hamstrings and lower back. These same muscles often feel tight and sore after several hours spent standing at work.
Here’s how you can do this exercise:
- Begin by standing straight.
- Drop your head and keep your shoulders and neck relaxed.
- Try to touch the knees with the forehead.
- Place palms on either side of your feet.
- Keep your legs and knees straight throughout the practice and hold this pose for a while.
- You can do 20 reps and 4 sets.
4. Relevè
This exercise is designed to strengthen your knee and calf. If you feel any pain, then stop doing the exercise immediately.
Here’s how you can do this exercise:
- Ensure the surface is stable, so that it’s easy to maintain balance.
- Stand on your feet, shoulder-width apart, and keep your knees straight.
- Raise both your heels off the floor, as far as you can go, pushing your whole body up.
- Slowly return to the floor
- Repeat six times, and do three sets a day.
5. Knee to chest stretch
It is not just great for your gut, but a knee to chest press is also great to relax your hamstrings, glutes, legs, and even your lower back. You can do it either standing or lying down – whatever suits you the best.
Here’s how you can do this exercise:
- Lie on your back and pull your knees into your chest with both hands.
- Keep your lower back on the floor.
- Hold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
