7 Simple Yoga Poses to Relieve Stress at Your Desk

Working in an office doesn’t protect you from physical fatigue or from the specter of long-term injury. Sudden accidents might not be a major concern, but you can still suffer repetitive stress injuries. In addition, you face the day-to-day stresses that come with any job.  

The strain of constantly sitting at a desk can wear you down. You need an outlet to help you power through the day and stay productive. Yoga can provide that engine.  

However, you can’t just crank the heat up, throw on some yoga pants, and toss a mat on the floor. You need to stay office-appropriate, even as you try to work out some of the kinks and energize yourself for the rest of the day. 

7 (Relatively Discrete) Poses to Relieve Stress and to Allow You to Power Through Your Day:

Neck Rolls 

Push back from your desk and straighten your back. Dip your chin to your chest and roll your head around. This will help get some of the tension out of your neck and shoulders after those long sessions sitting at your desk. At the same time, you can restore your posture and relieve stress.  

Seated Backbend  

While your relieving stress around your shoulders and back, you can transition into the seated backbend. Move to the front of your chair. Dip your head back and arc your back. If needed, you can put your hands behind you for some support. 

Stretch Your Hands, Wrists, and Fingers  

Just what you need to keep your hands from cramping on those long typing marathons. The exact routine can vary, depending on what you need. Generally speaking, clench and unclench your fists, then stretch out your fingers. You can also push one palm against the other in front of you to relieve tension in your wrists. 

Seated Crescent Moon Pose  

The goal here is to give your sides and spine a good stretch. Raise your hands straight above your head and put your hands together (imagine the moment just before you dive into a pool). Then, lean to the right and hold for a couple of breaths. Repeat on the left side.  

Chair Pigeon Pose 

Sitting in your chair, put your right ankle on your left thigh. Turn your body to the right. Repeat the process in the opposite direction. This move will release some of the tension you’ve stored up in your chest and hips, leaving you a bit more relaxed. 

Forward Fold 

For this one, you’ll have to get out of your chair for a couple of minutes. You might get a glance or two from your coworkers, so you consider waiting until the coast is clear. Fundamentally, this is an exaggerated version of touching your toes. Stand up. Put your feet together. Bend over at the waist, either trying to touch the floor or putting your hands behind your ankles or calves. This move will help get the blood pumping, loosen you up, and restore some of your energy for the push to the end of the day. 

Upward-Facing Dog (Desk Version) 

This is another standing pose, a variation on a yoga favorite. Stand back a bit, and bend over at the waist, resting your hands on the desk. Then, push toward the desk with your body, while standing up at the same time, arching your back as you rise. Again, this should help bolster your energy and relieve some pent-up tension. 

Staying relaxed and focused at work can help you boost productivity and get through a long day. Of course, finding the desire to push through stress and frustration becomes a cinch when you love your job. Partnering with a strong recruiting firm, like SmartTalent, makes it easy to find ideal positions. 

Contact SmartTalent today to learn more.