Sitting at a desk (or on a plane or in the car) all day can be a huge pain in the, well, everything. But the simple act of stretching can bring along a heap of health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and potentially reducing the risk of heart disease. Going “Gumby” can also mean reduced muscle tension and improved flexibility — talk about an ahhh-ha moment. So stay put, and try these stretches anytime or place.
Before getting that synovial fluid flowing, channel an over-protective parent and put safety first. When stretching, muscles should feel tight, but never pained. Some evidence suggests holding static stretches for 15 seconds is the best way to improve range of motion, but in order to avoid injury, try not to bounce.
