Did you know that you can improve your overall mood and health with spine exercises? Good posture relieves stress on the spine and promotes energy flow for mobility. Continue reading below to learn more about how to keep your mind and body healthy with spine exercises.
It is said that your spine is the window to your health and that you are only as young as your spine. The spine is one of the most important parts of your body, which means that spine health is critical.
We spend too much time in chairs and cars, and poor posture can lead to back pain. The spine carries the weight of your head, torso and arms, allowing your body to move in every direction, making it important not to put undue stress on it by having poor posture. Posture errors include leading with your chin, slumping and repetitive straining motions rounding your spine, among others.
It is said that people with good posture are often in better moods. I would like to think that is true. Try throughout your day be conscious of your posture. Try giving yourself this quiz: Are you pulling your shoulder blades back and down, opening your chest as if you were displaying medals? Are your ears directly over your shoulders? Are your hips in line with your shoulders? If you answered “yes” to all questions, you passed the quiz with flying colors, and your spine thanks you.
Your spine can move in six directions and for optimal health you need to move your spine in those directions every day. Here are the six directions: forward bend, back bend, right and left side stretch, and right and left twists. Exceptions to trying the six movements would include injury, orders from your doctor, and of course, no forward bends for anyone with osteoporosis. Moving the spine gets the blood and energy flowing in your body.
One of the easiest and healthiest things to do for your spine is to gently move it in all six directions before getting out of bed. A little stretching before getting up can work wonders for your body, and some people say it has significantly reduced their back pain. Before you get out of bed tomorrow try this short routine.
Start on your back and do a full-body stretch with your arms overhead. If the wall or headboard is in the way, either angle yourself in the bed or just reach for the ceiling. Lying on your back, bring one knee at a time to your chest and hug it with your arms for three breaths. If you are comfortable, bring both knees up and hug them to your chest for three breaths.
Next, bend your knees with your feet flat on the mattress. Let your knees fall to one side, take three full breaths, and then take your knees to the other side. To get a side stretch, you are going to shape yourself into a banana moving your legs to one side away from your torso, move your legs/feet to the side. If you have the strength, lift your fanny and move it in the opposite direction of the way you are moving your legs then take your arms overhead (if you have room) and move them in the same direction as your legs then take three full breaths then repeat on the other side.
Finally, for a gentle backbend, roll onto your stomach and with your hands beside your chest, push your upper chest away from the mattress into a small backbend like a cobra. Then roll to the side and push yourself up. Take a few deep breaths and say a positive affirmation like “It’s going to be a great day and I will be happy.”