Hands-On Stress Relief

Ever find yourself getting tense in the middle of the day? Whether you're at work or at home, sometimes we find our shoulders hunched forward and our forehead scrunched. Here are some self-massage moves that can help relieve tension around your head, neck and hands.

The Scalp Soother: Place thumbs behind your ears and spread your fingers on top of your head. Move your scalp back and forth slightly by making circles with your fingertips for 15-20 seconds.

The Eye Easer: Close your eyes and place your ring fingers directly under your eyebrows, near the bridge of your nose. Slowly increase pressure for five seconds, then gently release. Repeat 2-3 times.

The Shoulder Saver: Place your left hand on the right side of your next by your shoulder. Press fingers firmly into the muscle while tucking your chin in toward your chest. Hold this position for 10 seconds, release, and then repeat on the left side.

The Palm Pleaser: Lace your fingers together, leaving thumbs free. Slowly knead your left thumb into the palm of your right hand for 20-30 seconds. Then repeat on your left hand.

We could all use a little stress relief in our life :) Happy Monday!

Friday's Letters

Dear Memorial Day, your early morning 10k, followed by work, gardening, visiting graves, a BBQ and Bee's Baseball game made me more grateful than ever for health and family. Dear Little Girls, you stood at the base of a 2 mile hill in the 10k on Monday screaming "Cookies for sale but you don't have to pay!" Thanks for making me smile instead of cry. Dear Lunch Hour, as much as I love my job, sitting outside in the sun eating my cold hard boiled eggs is a nice break from the office chair - for my legs and my mind. Dear Kale Chips, I've eaten a whole pan of you...by myself...3 times in the last week. Why do you have to be so good?

Love, T

 

Up, Down, Up, Down

What piece of exercise equipment sells for under $20, fits into a briefcase, can be used by the whole family, and improves cardiovascular fitness while toning muscle at the same time? And using it for just 15-20 minutes will burn off the calories from a candy bar? The answer: a jump rope.

Yes - today we talk about jump rope.

Feel free to listen to this song while reading...it's a keeper!

There are several reasons I'm a fan of jumping rope. And there are several reasons you should be too!

- Jumping rope is a type of cardiovascular exercise that engages the whole body through consistent hops in the air.

- When you add jump rope into your weight lifting workout, you increase calorie burn and help train your heart with short bursts of speed

- Jumping rope burns calories at a similar rate as running does

- A jump rope is a really simple and inexpensive piece of workout equipment

- Jump rope training will enhance coordination, agility, quickness, footwork and endurance

I have a special place in my heart for jump rope. As weird as that may sound...but when I was young I participated in Jump Rope for Heart at my elementary school. It's a great way to get kids moving and teach them about how moving and staying active does protect their heart. 

Here are some jump rope workouts you might like to try:

- 5 Jump Rope Drills to Improve Quickness 

- 15 Minute Workout 

- 10 Minute Workout 

Add one of those to your next weights session or use it as a warm up and you'll be feelin' it!