Monthly Wellbeing Theme – Stretching

This month we are focusing on stretching, which is important when you work in front of a computer. We are resuming our summer yoga sessions in the park with Mel from May to September, where all of our team members are invited to take part, and we also invite partners or friends to join us. 

At Virteffic, the well-being of our staff is a top priority. Virteffic was set up as Tess wanted more flexible working hours and a better life-work balance. Everyone who works for Virteffic is in complete control of their own hours. This opens up opportunities for those who can’t or don’t want to work in a traditional 9-5 office role.

Since we started to recruit and Virteffic grew into a team of more than just Tess, the focus has always been to look after and appreciate the team members. Our sports, social and well-being committee was set up early to help with this.

Stretching

Increased flexibility, improved blood flow, improved performance in physical activities, better posture, stress relief and meditative effects; what causes all these? Stretching.

Yes that’s right, stretching, it has a highly positive effect on our body and mind and you don’t have to be a yoga master to reap the benefits.  

How can we integrate stretching into our everyday lives to start seeing these benefits?

Make it the first thing you do upon waking

When you get out of bed in the morning, do a big stretch. Have you seen a cat or dog do a big wonderful stretch when they wake up? Do that. Have your feet slightly wider than hip distance apart with a slight bend in your knees, raise your arms above your head whilst taking a big inhale. Then hold your arms there and have a bit of wiggle or sway (do whatever feels good) and then take a big exhale and lower your arms to your side. Repeat as many times as desired.

Make sure you warm up & cool down when exercising

Seems like a no-brainer but it’s regularly missed when working out and can lead to injury. So get moving to get that blood flowing.

Introduce a night time wind down the stretch before you get into bed

This can be as short as 5 mins if that’s all the time you have. Make it part of your night-time routine. Once your teeth are brushed, and you’re in your pjs, sit on the floor and stretch to let go of any tension or stress that may have built up in the body throughout the day.

There are lots of resources available to you online from YouTube accounts such as Well+Good they have some great short videos to get you going in the morning. There are countless apps you can download on your phone; I like the Deliciously Ella App, Feel Better. Instagram is a treasure trove for this type of thing, with hours of free content; check out Pilates at your Desk.