Keeping Your Dignity, Figure, and Mental Health by Incorporating Yoga and Stretching into Your Daily Work Routine

Eight hours a day behind a desk not only holds the potential to drain you mentally, but it can be slaughter on your thighs, hips, and the beloved Gluteus I've been sitting for hours, no wonder it's-Maximus region. Also, typing away can wreak havoc on your wrists, and staring at the monitor for hours isn't so great on the eyes either. What's a girl (or guy) to do under such extreme measures? Keep your dignity, figure, and mental health by incorporating the following techniques into your daily work routine:

Move your body.

Blood carries oxygen, oxygen delivers energy. Lack of movement not only drains your physical energy, but your mental energy as well. A quick pick up that will take care of both energies is yoga and stretching- and this time you don't have to don unflattering (albeit extremely comfy) yoga clothes and join a group of human pretzels. Trying the following moves will melt tension, and get you through another day of obnoxious coworkers (you know, the girl in the cubical next to you singing off-key while painting her toenails) and demanding schedules.

"Twisted" (Chair Twist): Aids in stress relief, and digestion.

Sitting in good posture with feet planted twist either to the right or left slowly. Place hands either on your arm rest or on the side of the chair back as you ease into the stretch, hold for 6 slow and full breaths. Repeat twice, alternating sides each time (four stretches total).

"Show Me Those Legs" (Calf raises): increases blood flow, tones muscle.

Standing behind your chair, rise up on both toes and try to hold for 6 breaths. Slowly return to flat feet, Repeat twice. Next, rise up on toes of only one foot; leaving the opposite foot flat on the ground (you're doing it right if you look like you've been waiting in line for a restroom for an hour). Alternate single calf raises four times holding each raise for 3 full breaths.

"Ready for Flight" (Shoulder to hand stretch): increases blood flow, stress relief.