3 simple stretches to relieve body pain

These exercises help reduce stiffness that occurs after periods of inactivity.

There are days when you wake up feeling like you’re a few years older. Your body hurts and everything feels a little “rusty”. This stiffness usually goes away within a few minutes, but some days are worse than others.

Why does stiffness occur?

It is still unclear why stiffness develops, especially as people age. The only certain point is that it happens after long periods of inactivity.

That’s why we often feel it when we wake up, since night sleep is the period in which we remain without activity continuously for the longest time. However, any other prolonged period spent sitting can cause stiffness, such as watching TV, working on the computer, or driving a car.

How to relieve stiffness?

To break up long periods of inactivity, a timer on your phone or computer that reminds you to move throughout the day every 30 minutes can be helpful. Walk around the house or around the block, do some household chores, climb a few steps, or even march in place for a minute or so.

Another option is to introduce three stretching movements into your routine that focus on the main areas affected by stiffness: shoulders, back and legs. Do it in the morning to relax, during breaks at work, or whenever your body feels a little rusty.

1. Arms in motion

Stand up and put your feet together. As you inhale, open your arms to the side and move them towards the ceiling. As you exhale, bring your arms back to your sides. Repeat this sequence five to ten times.

2. Bend your back

Stand up and place your feet slightly apart. Place your hands on your lower back with your fingertips pointing down. As you inhale, roll your shoulders back and gently lift your chest toward the ceiling, arching your back slightly.

It is important to be careful not to overextend your neck. Try holding three to five breaths and repeat three to five times.

3. Chair position

Place your feet shoulder-width apart and raise your arms straight up. As you exhale, bend your knees into a slightly squatted position, always keeping your back straight.

Hold for a few seconds and stand straight as you lower your arms to complete one repetition. Repeat the movement five to ten times. A possible variation is to raise your arms to chest height or keep your hands on your thighs to focus only on your lower body.

Source: Harvard Health Publishing

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.