Desk jobs may not be inherently dangerous, but they sure can do a number on your posture. Whenever I get up from my desk I do a little stretch for my upper back: By clasping my palms together behind me and straightening my arms, my upper back gets a much needed release.
While that trick helps me from feeling too tight during the day, there's something more effective for the long-term that can be done at bedtime. Glamour magazine rounded up some great health tips in their February issue, and according to Ob-gyn Christiane Northrup, M.D., this small posture practice can give you big results in just two minutes. Here's her advice:
Every night before going to sleep, lie on your back and hang your head and shoulders off the bed for up to two minutes. This opens up your chest, increasing blood supply to your lungs and heart, and can help prevent bad posture from hours of hunching over a desk at work.
Laura Ashley
ha I do that for fun sometimes...ha.
1ow! instant headache!
2even better, do it on a physio/yoga/pilates ball to avoid neck strain! i do this every night and it feels great!
3instant headache?
by doing stretches?
4TidalWave, hanging my head off the side of my bed would give me a headache too! But I'll try it if it's good for you.
When I worked a 9-5 cube job I was in the most pain I've ever been because no matter how much you try to stretch and move around, you can't escape the fact that you spend most of your time sitting! Even retail, wearing heels, and being an assistant kindergarten teacher were less painful.
5Great tip! What a great release for tight back muscles.
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