Sitting for extended periods, whether at work, during your commute, or in the evening, can have negative effects on your body. Your body is not designed to be stationary for long hours. Continuous sitting can lead to various issues such as tight hip flexors, tense hamstrings, weakened glutes, and poor posture. These factors can eventually result in back pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, impacting your daily movements.

The good news is that you can counteract these negative effects through targeted stretching exercises. Regular mobility work can help to loosen your hips, activate dormant muscles, and realign your spine and shoulders. These stretches are quick to perform and require nothing more than consistency, a bit of floor space, and using the correct techniques.

These six stretches are uncomplicated, efficient, and intended to be incorporated into your daily routine. With just 10 to 15 minutes each day, a comfortable surface to stretch on, and your own body, you can alleviate tension, boost circulation, and enhance your posture and movement quality throughout the day.

Half Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch

Hours of sitting shorten your hip flexors and lead to lower back discomfort. This stretch directly targets that tension and helps restore your hip extension. Opening up the hips improves posture and reduces strain on the lower back. It also helps activate your glutes by counteracting their underuse.

How to do it:

1. Kneel on one knee with the other foot flat in front, forming a 90-degree angle with both legs.
2. Tuck your pelvis slightly under to engage your glutes.
3. Lean forward gently into the front leg until you feel a stretch in the front of the rear hip.
4. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch sides.

Seated Spinal Twist

Sitting often locks up your spine and stiffens your mid-back. A spinal twist helps decompress the vertebrae, improve rotation, and wake up the muscles supporting your posture. Seated spinal twists also opens up your chest, which tends to collapse inward after a long day at a desk.

How to do it:

1. Sit cross-legged or with legs extended in front of you.
2. Place your right hand behind you and your left hand on your right knee.
3. Inhale to lengthen your spine, exhale to twist gently to the right.
4. Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.

Standing Chest Opener

Your shoulders naturally round forward when you sit, especially if you’re at a computer. This stretch helps pull them back into alignment by opening the chest and engaging the upper back. It improves shoulder mobility and counteracts the hunched-forward posture that develops over time.

How to do it:

1. Stand tall and clasp your hands behind your back.
2. Straighten your arms and gently pull your hands downward while lifting your chest.
3. Keep your chin level and shoulders away from your ears.
4. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds while breathing deeply.

Cat-Cow Stretch

The Cat-Cow sequence mobilizes your entire spine. Cat-cow stretches increase flexibility in your back and helps you reconnect to your core and breath. A cat-cow stretch also encourages circulation and helps reduce stiffness built up during long hours of sitting.

How to do it:

1. Start on all fours with your hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
2. Inhale as you arch your back, lifting your head and tailbone (Cow).
3. Exhale as you round your spine, tucking your chin and pelvis (Cat).
4. Continue moving with your breath for 30 to 60 seconds.

Forward Fold with Shoulder Reach

Forward folds with a shoulder reach targets your hamstrings and shoulders at the same time, two areas that get tight from prolonged sitting. The forward fold lengthens the back of your legs and opens the shoulders for improved posture. Adding the shoulder reach helps activate the upper back while providing a deep release for the spine.

How to do it:

1. Stand with feet hip-width apart and a soft bend in your knees.
2. Fold forward from your hips, letting your torso hang.
3. Clasp your hands behind your back and gently reach your arms overhead.
4. Hold for 30 seconds, then slowly release.

Lying Figure Four Stretch

Sitting tightens the hips and glutes, which put pressure on the lower back and reduce mobility. The lying figure four stretch helps release the piriformis and outer hips, reducing pain and improving flexibility. It’s a great way to unwind at the end of the day and reset your posture before bed.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

How to do it:

1. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat.
2. Cross your right ankle over your left thigh.
3. Thread your hands through to grab the back of your left thigh.
4. Gently pull the leg toward your chest and hold for 30 seconds. Switch sides.

Tyler Read, BSc, CPT