Between going to class, writing essays, and watching Netflix, students spend a lot of time sitting down. Plus, let’s be honest: many of us are not practicing great posture. All this hunched sitting can result in stiff joints and achey muscles, but you can combat your soreness by stretching regularly. Kristin Constantinoff, a certified athletic therapist and trainer at MacEwan University Sport and Wellness, showed us how to do some quick and easy stretches to reduce your aches and pains.
Wrist Extensions– With your palm facing down and your elbows straight, gently pull your hands and fingers towards yourself. Do this 3 times for 20-30 seconds, taking 10-second breaks in between. Repeat for both sides.
This stretch is a variation of the wrist extension.
Wrist Flexors– With you palm facing up and your elbows straight, gently pull your hand and fingers towards yourself. Do this for 20-30 seconds, taking 10-second breaks in between. Repeat for both sides.
Lower Back– Lie on your back and hug your knees towards your chest. Rock back and forth from side to side. Do this 5 times for 10 seconds, taking 10-second breaks in between.
T-Spine Rotation– Begin by lying on your side with your pelvis and shoulders stacked. Open your arm and rate it back as far as you can. As your hand rotates, let your head and eyes follow. Take a deep breath in on the rotation back and release it as you return to your original stacked position. Do this 5-10 times as needed. Repeat for both sides.
T-Spine Rotation
Pectoral Stretch– With your elbow at a 90 degree angle, place your forearm and hand n a doorway or wall. Turn your head and body away. Do this 3 times for 20-30 seconds, taking 10-second breaks in between. Repeat for both sides.
Scalene Stretch– Rotate your neck over your shoulder while keeping your head up as if you were looking behind you. Do this 3 times for 20-30 seconds on each side, taking 10-second breaks in between. Repeat for both sides.
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