We all know it – sitting at a computer all day hurts your back, neck, shoulders, and wrists. And, it increases your risk of a long list of very unpleasant illnesses including cancer and cardiovascular disease. The warning that “sitting is the new smoking” has been plastered on every health-related magazine and website.
But, most of us still do hours of computer work every day. While standing is better than sitting, (I hope many of you have tried to make that transition), typing on a keyboard and looking at a screen still take a toll. Fortunately, there are a few specific exercises that can help you minimize the negative effects of your computer work.
This is one of my favorites and you can use it as a quick break while working. It gets the muscles in the back of your shoulders that get overstretched and inhibited while typing to fire and turn back on. Try to do 8-10 reps 2 or 3 times scattered throughout your workday. While I didn’t mention it in the video, try to coordinate your breathing so that you’re inhaling when you open and extend your arms and exhaling when you rotate your thumbs back.
