Motion Tips

Tip #1

Feeling stressed? Cross your legs, arms and hands, with your fingers interlaced. Hold for one minute, breathe s-l-o-w-l-y, then uncross. Ahhh.

Tip #2

Move your trashcan to the other side of office. So when you’re done with that bun wrapper, there’s no choice but to move your own buns.

Tip #3

Give your eyes a break from that computer screen. (No peeking at email.) Draw an 8 in the air and follow with your eyes. Now do it the other way.

Tip #4

Take a typing time-out with Spider Pushups. Match fingertips of one hand to the other, keep fingers and palms apart, and do pushups, like a spider.

Tip #5

Tense? Tight? Clasp your hands behind, then stretch up with your hands interlaced. Do you feel a rush of air? That’s called relaxation.

Tip #6

Sore neck? Drop your head to one side, roll through the center, turn your chin toward your shoulder, nod up and down. Now do it the other way.

Tip #7

Trade your seat in for a ball. You’ll be moving all day. You’ll be strengthening your core. And you won’t be able to slouch. How’s that for staying on the ball?

Tip #8

Tight hamstrings? Extend one leg forward to the floor with your foot flexed. Lean forward at the waist. Now do the other leg. Prepare for hams to unstring.

Tip #9

Sore lower back? Lay your calf on top of your thigh. Keeping your foot flexed, tip your body forward, reach your arms out and let your head drop. Phew.

Tip #10

Need a quick escape? Cover your eyes. With your fingertips, lightly tap between your hairline and eyebrows. Unexpected bouts of calmness may follow.

Tip #11

Next time the phone rings, stand up and start moving. You’ll sound more impressive on the other side. And career-advancing ideas may pop into your head.

Tip #12

Cross your ankle over the opposite knee and massage your calves. Alternate between flexing and pointing your foot. Hear that? That’s your calves thanking you.

Tip #13

Feeling unfocused? Do some Ear Rolls. Massage from top to lobes by “unrolling” ears. Weird. But good.

Tip #14

Say hi to your co-worker in person. Walk across the hall. Up some flights. Or down the street. You’ll be glad you did it. So will they.

Tip #15

Need a boost? Try the Spinal Extension. Stretch up tall, move your chest forward and lift. Then rock your pelvis back and curl forward. Yowzah.

Tip #16

Breathe deeply. Even deeper. Even deeper. One more little bit. Now let it out. Wow. You really needed that.