HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF SOME RELIEF:

Gentle movements or massage can help to stimulate blood flow and bring energy to tired muscles. Following are a few to do during your breaks (remember to breathe diaphragmatically):

• Rib Stretch: Sit comfortably erect in your chair with your feet flat on the floor. Gently reach toward the ceiling with your right arm and feel your ribs open up. Alternate between left and right about 5 times each side.
• Finger Stretch: Open and close your hands, extending your fingers as fully as you can. Do this 5 times, rest for 5 seconds, and do another 5 times.
• Mid-Back Stretch: Cross your arms over your chest and place your hands on your opposite shoulders. As you exhale, gently drop your chin to your chest and pull your shoulders forward, stretching your mid-back. Slowly pull yourself up vertebra by vertebra. Repeat 2 to 3 times.

Copyright 2003 Erik Peper, Ph.D. and Katherine Hughes Gibney
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