Your Body in Harmony
This month I want to talk about your body being in harmony. A sort of "reset" if you like...
I am going to share some tips and ideas for you to consider to help get your body in harmony.
Neck and Shoulders - Many of us carry tension in our neck and shoulders. Muscles become knotted as stress builds. This is compounded by too much time in front of computer screens for those with a desk job. And don't get me started on "mobile neck" as I call it - far too much time with our heads bent looking at our mobiles! I fear for the younger generation - it's going to be huge for them.
So, what can you do? Definitely get up and walk around regularly - don't sit for too long. And that helps to get your step count up! Roll your shoulders back, rotate your head in both directions.
Make sure you are working in the right temperature for you. We all have different internal thermometers - some prefer it warm and some cooler. But be sure it is right for you. Too cool in particular tends to make us tense our shoulders and hold ourselves more rigidly.
Lower Back - Are you sitting comfortably? It is amazing how easy it is for us to sit badly, and it becomes a habit. Most of us tend to favour one side or another. If you really focus on your sitting position, you will realise you slightly favour one buttock, you tend to bias towards your dominant hand, and probably hold your head slightly to one side. This all travels to your lower back - giving you tightness and aches and pains.
Be sure you have the right chair to support your back - your office chair should be designed specifically for desk work, not a dining room chair at the wrong height. Your sofa should be comfortable and supportive - the right choice for you. And don't get into the habit of working from the sofa. Sofas are not designed for doing work on your laptop!
Again, moving around is key here. Bring your leg up to your chest from a standing position. Roll your leg out to open up your pelvis and hips, then repeat with the other leg. Bend from the waist and roll one way then the other. If you are suffering from aches and pains try a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to ease it.
Legs and Feet - It's easy to forget about our legs and feet, as we are usually more focused on aches and pains in our back. However, pain we feel in our back can be caused from lower down our body. When sitting get into the habit of regularly rolling your ankles to turn your feet one way and then the other.
Be sure to wear different shoes, rather than always the same ones. Different heights help to ease tension on your feet and calves. And wearing nothing but socks inside is good for your feet too. It also helps to stretch out your calf muscles.
Exercise - I totally understand that you may not enjoy exercise, but it is about finding something you do enjoy. Walking with a friend or family member means you get chance to chat without distraction whilst getting in some movement; dancing allows you to be sociable and enjoy company and fun. Any regular time building in ways to move and stretch your body is beneficial and keeps your body active and supple. I urge you to experiment and find what works for you.
Relax - one of the most important ways to bring your body in harmony is to ensure you have time each day to relax. Even just a short break - a little time outside if the weather is good, a few minutes with your eyes closed breathing deeply, or a chat with a friend. All of those things just help to relieve tension, and give you a little reset boost.
Drink plenty of fluids - water, herbal teas, or even tea/coffee, all help to flush toxins and keep you hydrated.