Planning on spending lunch at your desk? Too tired to make a trip out? One of the many MS symptoms is fatigue and reduced energy.
However, these stretching exercises will help you rejuvenate -- right in place! Then, before your break is up, take a ten minute mini-vacation.
Ready to get re-energized?
Let's Stretch
Have you been sitting all morning? It's time to get up! You'll do these initial exercises while standing.
1. Shoulder Release. Standing comfortably with your feet shoulder width, knees soft (not locked), raise your shoulders toward your ears. Hold for a three count, "3...2...1." Let them drop back down. Do this three times.
2. Neck Relax. Tension gathers in the neck. A quick exercise to release that tension simply involves letting the neck move to different positions. So often when we're absorbed in a task, we get "stuck" in one posture. Please don't force any of these positions. Be gentle with yourself. Let's take our neck on a tour around the compass!
A. North. Remaining standing in the same comfortable shoulder width stance, allow your head to drop forward. Hold this for a count of three. Return to center, head up.
B. West. Allow your head to fall, slowly, gently, toward your left shoulder. The natural weight of the head will stretch the neck as much as it needs. Allow yourself to feel that weight. Count to three. Return to center.
C. East. Allow your head to fall toward the right shoulder. Relax into it. "3...2...1." Return to center.
D. South. Inhale. As you slowly look up and back at the ceiling, exhale. No need to go too far, a count of three. We're just enjoying the relief of opposite motions. Return to center.
3. Freeing Fingers. If you're doing computer work, your hands and fingers need a break. Hold your arms straight out in front of you with the palms facing forward (like the traffic police say "Stop!") With fingers fully outstretched, see how much space you can create between that little finger and thumb on each hand.
4. Wrist Release. Close to make a gentle fist and nod your fists forward and back five times. Count "5, 4, 3, 2, 1," using a slow, methodical pace. Bring your hands back down to your side.
5. Repeat exercises 3 and 4 three times.
Mini-Meditation Vacation
This process involves both meditation and visualization. It should leave you refreshed, relaxed, and recharged. This is a ten minute exercise. If you can, set the alarm on your phone or computer (low volume). Then, you won't feel the need to keep an eye on the clock.
1. Sit upright in your chair, both feet flat on the floor, hands in your lap, palms up (ready to receive the gift of relaxation).
2. Take a "cleansing breath." Inhale deeply through your nose. Exhale quickly ("whoosh!) through your mouth.
3. Now, breathe normally, gradually deepening to "baby breath." Have you ever seen an infant sleeping on his or her back? The stomach rises up and down. Let your intake of air flow all the way to your belly. Let it rise like that sleeping child. When you exhale, feel it fall. Find your own natural rhythm. Up. Down. No worries. If distracting thoughts come, nod and let them go.
4. Lastly, think of a place where you felt as secure as that sleeping child. Many people find that kind of relief from stress at the beach. Others might remember a mountain meadow or even their childhood bedroom. Where is your place of peace? Can you see it in your mind's eye? Stay focused on that image. Continue your baby breathing. The alarm will bring you back.
Welcome Back!
How are you feeling? Ready to resume your work? These quick mental and physical exercises are easy to do when you feel your energy waning at work.
For additional articles on how to reduce MS fatigue, read these:
· Increase Your Energy with MS
· 7 Superfoods to Fight MS Fatigue