Move Your Upper Spine

I write a lot for work, which means I’m on the computer a lot. One way I’ve found to stay productive is to regularly push back from my computer to do a minute or two of simple stretches. Our brains not only need the break, our other parts need it as well. Have you ever found yourself breaking from the computer task at hand to quickly (and mindlessly) make a social media lap? If you’re already breaking away then you’ve already found the timespace for an at-your-desk, low profile movement that will make you and your work ultimately better.

Last year Prevention magazine featured five of my exercises and while I love them all, this one is really my favorite.

How to do a Thoracic Stretch:

• Place your hands on the back of a chair, counter, desktop, or wall.
• With your hands in place, walk backward to lower your chest toward the floor.
• With your feet pelvis width and pointing forward, back your hips up until they’re behind your ankles.
• Bend your knees to take tight hamstrings out of the upper-body equation OR keep the legs straight to add a stretch to the hamstrings and calves.
• After you’ve done this a few times, rotate your elbows toward the ground for even more shoulder movement!