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Relieve Neck, Back and Shoulder tension with this Quick Tip

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Take tension off your Neck, Back and Shoulders with this quick tip

I often prescribe my clients the ‘Smiling Collar-bones’ exercise that gives them a quick and easy way to improve their posture and take tension off their neck, shoulders and upper back.

It’s also one of my favourite ways of explaining healthy posture habits for your head, neck and shoulders and clients can’t believe how easy it is to remember… so they do it more often!

The other thing is, your don’t have to even leave your chair to do it! Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, you can ‘Smile’ your collarbones and feel the difference in your body!

That’s a win-win all round!

This week saw us celebrating April Fool’s Day… and National ‘Smile Day’ in Australia. So I thought I’d bring a smile to your dial and share this awesome exercise with you…

 

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Time-saving tips for feeling fabulous, leading an active life and aging gracefully… in celebration of International Women’s Day

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March 8th is International Women’s Day, and on this day we celebrate everything awesome and unique about women!

 

One of the most special things about women is that they tend to be ‘nurturers’ of those around them. They’re often carers in the form of mothers, grandmothers, sisters or daughters and supportive friends or colleagues of the many people in their community.

 

And women often feel their greatest sense of satisfaction and worth in giving of themselves to others- they’re time, their listening ear, their advice, their hospitality and their heart.

 

In our increasingly busy world, however, this selfless commitment to giving and putting other’s needs before their own can take its toll.

 

Yes, as women we tend to wear many hats and, sadly, the ‘hat of self-care’ is usually donned the least.

 

The sad reality is that I speak to many women daily who aren’t feeling great about themselves. They find it hard to see, let alone celebrate their amazing qualities amidst their struggle.

 

They’re often worried about their weight, worried about how stiff and sore they feel, how exhausted and sluggish they feel, worried about the increasing hunch of their shoulders, worried about their health and the little time they have to devote to taking care of themselves.

 

Does that resonate with you?

 

Well, I want to encourage you today!

Firstly, I assure you that you are doing a great job.

 

And secondly, I want to remind you that you can’t help others unless you fit your own oxygen mask first…

 

While it certainly is tough to prioritise your own physical and mental health when you’ve got deadlines at work, family and social commitments, household chores to get done and hungry kids or pets hounding you…

 

I’d like you to stop for a second and take a deep breath, then exhale, and read on.

 

If I told you that you could skyrocket your physical and mental health in just 2 minutes, would you want to know how?

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Exercising when you’re Stiff, Sore, Unsure or Injured: Rule No 4

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If we wait til we’re feeling 100% to get started doing any sort of exercise- whether it’s a few exercises at home, a workout in the gym or any kind of cardio activity- that day may never come!

 

So, over the past few weeks we’ve been looking at ways we can keep ouselves in ‘ship shape’, moving towards our health and fitness goals, even if we’re feeling really stiff & sore, unsire or injured…

Or all of the above!

 

The good news is that over the past 20+ years, I’ve led thousands of people through this process and I’ve been sharing my 4 top tips, or ‘Rules’ to help you work out:

What you should and shouldn’t do, how far you should push and what to do next.

Those we covered in ‘Rules 1, 2 and 3’.

 

If you haven’t read them or watched the videos that dive into the specifics, make sure you catchup on the most important stuff you need to know (below)

Rule 1 Don’t Push into Pain (or at least not much more pain)

Rule 2 Stop just Short of Fatigue

Rule 3  Taking note of How you Feel After Exercising

 

We’re onto our last Rule today, so without further ado…

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Exercising if you’re a bit Stiff, Sore, Injured or Unsure: Rule 3

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We all know we need to exercise…

Most of us even like how much better we feel after we’ve exercised.

Yet, we are often in a place where we’re struggling with some sort of niggle, maybe even recovering from an injury or illness.

And let’s face it, for most of us that’s all the excuse we need to slack off and opt out!

The past few weeks I’ve been talking about how much better it is for our healing process if we actually do take the time and make the effort to move…

It really helps move us forwards and out of the downhill spiral into further pain, stiffness, debilitation and ill-health that comes when we don’t keep ourselves exercising.

And it doesn’t have to take much time or even be overly intense.

If you’ve been following me for more than a few minutes you’ll know I’m all about keeping it real!

There’s no use overwhelming ourselves and aiming for the skies with exercise and changing habits, only to end up disappointed in ourselves and our efforts, then paralysed and doing nothing.

A little bit, done well and done often is usually your best bet!

So, if you have some doubts about how much exercise you should do, how far to push and how to know when to stop, make sure you read parts 1 and 2 of this series…

Better still, I explain about putting limits around your exercise in Rule 1 video here and knowing the signs to look out for about when to stop in Rule 2’s Video here

And today, in Rule 3 I want to alert you to the next factor you need to consider when you’re starting out, or returning to exercising and are not yet 100%…

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Exercising when you’re stiff, sore or injured: Rule No 2

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This month I’m sharing my guidelines with you about Exercising when you’re sore, stiff or have an existing condition or injury…

For many of us, that might feel like a lot of the time?

A lot of people have aches and pains or a long term condition that make them unsure about how to move, what to safely do and how much to do.

Are you among them?

Or maybe you have an ‘acute’ (i.e. recent) injury that’s put you out of action for a bit.

In both cases, rest assured that the more you can keep your body moving, the better your long term outcomes will be!

You just need to some guidance as to what type of activity and how much will be best for you.

Last week I shared the first part in my series that outlines 4 Rules to bear in mind for Exercising when you’re Stiff, Sore or Injured.

And this week I’ll share Rule no 2…

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Top Tip to take Strain off your Neck, Shoulders and Upper Back

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Having the weight of your head forwards relative to your shoulders puts so much strain on your neck, upper back and shoulders.

 

Often called ‘Forward Head Posture’ or ‘Poke Chin Posture’ this position alone is responsible to a large proportion of problems I see in people who sit at a desk.

 

But you might be totally unaware that you’re doing it!😳

 

It’s one thing we’re all probably guilty of throughout our day, but the side-effects can be devastating…

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Does your Office Chair Need a ‘Checkup’?

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It’s nearly the end of the financial year in Australia… So many of us are keen to maximise our tax deductions!

 

If you’re been feeling a bit uncomfortable in your office chair and wondering if it’s right for you, this is the perfect time to give your chair at work a ‘checkup’ and see if you’re due a new one!

 

Many people ask me about what they should look for in a good, ‘ergonomic’ office chair..

So this week I’ll take you through Part 1 of your ‘Office Chair Checkup’…

 

The first question you’ll need to ask is whether it’s height adjustable?🤔

 

Now, if you tend to sit on a dining chair or waiting room type chair, you might want to work towards finding something a bit more suitable..

 

Your body will thank you!

 

So, I’m afraid it’s a ‘Fail’ straight up if your chair can’t go up and down to suit you and your desk height.😨

 

In that case, hunt around your house or office to see if there’s a height adjustable office-type chair you can use OR head here to my shop page to checkout the one that ticks all the boxes for adjustable, ergonomically friendly chairs, that suits most people and is best value for money…

And order with FREE SHIPPING before the end of the financial year!🎉

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