We are all so caught up in multiple activities that waking up in the morning is a daily pain. We drag our feet throughout the day, exhausted even at the start of it and deadbeat at its end. But does your day have to be so gloomy? Not if you start your day with these eight simple stretching exercises that take only about 10 minutes of your time.
The muscle tensions created during sleep will melt away, and you’ll metamorphose into a new person, ready to take on anything.
Stretching enhances the flexibility of muscles, especially around the joints. By stretching daily, you overcome stiffness, increase your body’s stability and strength and reduce tissue damage. You’ll also improve blood circulation, leaving you energized and renewed. Before you begin your new morning routine, set a goal to help you focus and stay motivated. Next, eat a sensible, healthy diet and consider adding a dietary energizer supplement. Combined with these exercises, you’ll stay supple and energetic throughout the day. For each exercise, do three repetitions each, allowing for 30-60 seconds of rest between each exercise.
Neck Back Stretch
Stand with your the head falling forward to your chest. Interlace your fingers at the back of your neck; pull down with your hands while you simultaneously try to lift your head up. Hold for a count of 20, release and repeat.
The Side Neck Stretch
Lean your head towards your right shoulder. Make a fist with your right hand and place it on your chin. Push your chin as far back as it can go. Return to start position and switch to left side.
The Side Stretch
Stand with feet together, hands clasped overhead.Interlace your fingers, inhale and slowly raise your hands up straight. Exhaling, bend your upper body sideways to the left. Inhale slowly and return to the center position. Repeat with right side.
Stand and Roll Down
Stand, feet apart, arms raised overhead. Bend slowly, letting your spine roll down — like a chain — and bring your hands on the floor, head hanging loose. Bend your knees slightly, if needed. Slowly reverse roll to starting position and repeat.
The Plank Stretch and Arch
Stand with feet together, then drop to your knees with your palms on the floor. Move your hands forward and legs back to plank position, shoulders in line with your wrists. Support lower body on your toes
and keep your entire body stretched and straight. Drop lower body, hips down, on the floor and arch your upper body as far up as it can go. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat.
The Back of Shoulder Stretch
Bring your hands to the small of your back and interlace the fingers, palms backward. Bring elbows to the front of the body and roll shoulders forward. Slowly release the tension and repeat.
The Plank Arch
Starting from plank position, walk your hands back and bend your knees. Stand by rolling your spine up; roll down again into plank position. Bending your right knee, lunge your right foot forward toward your chest. Stretching your left leg, arch your back and neck, and hold for three counts. Go back to plank position and switch sides.
The Child Pose
Get down on knees and hands and push your hips backward till you rest your buttocks on your heels. Keep your arms straight, fingers spread out and raise your head a few inches off the floor. Slowly bring your back to an upright position, sitting on your haunches, hands on thighs.