Releasing Tension at Work

Releasing tension at work is essential for physical and mental health. Many of us spend our office days in a haze of mental stress and physical tension forgetting that each influences the other and that simply shaking our shoulders may be the tip of the iceberg for improving performance at work and improving your overall health that goes beyond the office. 

Ways to release tension at work while encouraging flexibility and range of motion include: 

Looking up

1. Sit up as straight as possible in your office chair.
2. Clasp your hands with arms fully extended overhead and palms facing the ceiling.
3. Look up to the ceiling by raising your chin. Hold this position for 10 seconds while breathing deeply. 

Hug yourself: 

1. Right hand on left shoulder and left on hand on right shoulder. 
2. Breathe deeply.
3. Feel tension release from upper back area

Torso-twisting:

1. Sit up straight.
2. Inhale and exhale as you twist one direction and grab the back of the chair.
3. Return to neutral. 
4. Repeat motion in opposite direction.

Walking for simple office tasks

Don’t let automation ruin your health: e-mailing a co-worker on the floor below may be labelled efficiency for some; however, there was a time before e-mail and these kinds of inter-office communications were dependent upon a walk: so get up and walk to communicate simple memos rather than e-mailing everything. 

As you can see, most of these simple motions also involve an emphasis on breathing. Ensure that every once in a while you take a deep breath, or three, to encourage a healthy flow of oxygen to your cells. For help reducing the toll that the office takes on the human body, give our office in Fremont a call. 

Dr. Gregory Lind, D.C.