Safety in Construction Week: Stretches You Can Do at Your Desk

Whether sitting or standing at a desk, office workers benefit from engaging in short desk stretches throughout the day. These simple stretches can help prevent lower back pain, weak muscles, obesity, high blood pressure and other health issues. Keeping our bodies in motion helps us stay focused and aware which leads to a safer work environment. In the video above, Safety Officer Federico demonstrates the stretches listed below.

Desk Stretches

One per working hour to keep you moving

1^st Hour: Touch your toes – 5 seconds, 3 times

2^nd Hour: Tip-toes and stretch up – 5 seconds, 3 times

3^rd Hour: The Twist – rotate body to the left and right, 5 seconds, 3 times

4^th Hour: The March – knee towards chest, 10 times

5^th Hour: Neck stretch – tilt head back and sideways, 5 seconds, 3 times

6^th Hour: The Ballerina – feet apart, arm over head, reach towards opposite side, 5 seconds, 3 times

7^th Hour: The Hand Hold – grab hand and pull towards you until you feel a stretch, 5 seconds, 3 times

8^th Hour: The Banana – lean, arching your back, 5 seconds, 3 times

9^th Hour: The Shrug – roll your shoulders, 5 times

10^th Hour: Scratch my back – touch opposite shoulder blade, 5 seconds, 3 times

11^th Hour: Squat 10 times

12^th Hour: The Penguin – walk sideways around chair without swaying, 3 times