It’s winter, it’s cold, it’s probably raining (or snowing!) as you read this. It might even be lunchtime and I bet eating that stale sandwich at your desk is looking a lot more appealing than heading out into the bleak midwinter to stretch your legs. This is the time of year when we are missing out on vitamin D and feeling lethargic. And when we feel like that, it’s more important than ever to keep your body moving, keep the blood pumping and get flexing those muscles. So when I was sent some suggestions for yoga poses that I could do at my desk, with no equipment or gym membership required, I couldn’t wait to share them with you. The perfect way to beat the winter blues!
Reclaim Your Lunch Break
I am actually very lucky because the company I work at puts a strong emphasis on a work / life balance. We are encouraged to step away from our desks at lunchtime and go out for a walk, learn some mindfulness or visit an art gallery. We have even gone so far as to bring in a yoga teacher to come in once a week and take a lunchtime class. Because who doesn’t want a four week yoga programme for only £18?!
If your company doesn’t have the same policy and you find yourself slaving over your emails come 12:30pm, then it might be time to suggest something to your boss! But that aside, it’s actually really easy to improve your posture and get the blood pumping with just a few simple moves sat in your office chairs.
Thanks to Furniture at Work for giving me some inspiration!
*Disclaimer* I can’t guarantee that I don’t look totally ridiculous doing this. But that’s half the fun, right?!
Office Yoga
Stretch 1 – The Lengthy Meeting
This is what it *should* look like…
Aaaaaaand this is me…
I started with a simple head stretch. Legs apart, planted firmly on the floor, arm to my side. Hold the head at an angle to the side. You should feel a nice stretch all the way down the side of your neck. Be careful not to pull it too far!
Stretch 2 – The Morning Coffee
The professional…
Me…
This one feels really good when you’ve been sat hunched over your desk. Put both arms above your head, take hold of one of your wrists and pull your arms over and sideways. You should feel a delicious stretch right down the side of your body.
Stretch 3 – The Bank Holiday Monday
This one looks too good not to!
Don’t think I quite nailed it though…
I couldn’t resist adding this one in! I got some pretty funny looks while I was setting this one up, but it felt very freeing! Basically you just have to sit on your chair and turn upside down – spin your legs over the back of your chair and hang your head and arms to the floor. Get that blood pumping back into your brain!
Look, I even managed to get the lunchtime yoga crew doing some similar moves…
Yoga really is a great way to maintain good posture and stretch out your muscles and I promise that will make you feel better over winter when it’s just too damn cold to do exercise at lunchtime. I was sent loads more poses – watch this video to see them all and beat the winter blues with a bit of office chair yoga!
Do you do yoga? Will you be giving this a go?
♥ JH
This post is sponsored, but all views are my own.
This is what I miss about working at a bigger company, there was always something to do at dinner! The office you work in looks really nice. I make myself get away from my desk over dinner as it helps break the day up to. I usually end up shopping or buying something to eat though so it’s not always great! x
Yeah I’m the same – I wander into town and go shopping! Need to get better at walking to the Quayside instead.
? JH
I love the idea however working in an open plan office not quite sure how practical it would be, you nalied the movesame though Inot my opinion!
It can be tricky in an open plan office – maybe do some of the more subtle moves. Certainly not the Bank Holiday Monday!!
? JH