My Spine is Straight, My Shoulders are Relaxed

Write these phrases on 5 sticky notes and put them where you'll see them throughout the day.

Say them out loud:

My spine is straight.

My shoulders are relaxed.

My joints are open.

And now DO them. See how relaxed you can be as you do them.

These phrases are an excellent way to tune in to your body throughout the day. EVERYONE holds too much muscle tension all day long. Muscles are meant to MOVE you, not hold you rigid and tense. And when you stay rigid and tense, all that energy gets locked up and can't be used for digestion, proper circulation, relaxed deep breathing, or providing enough energy to get through the day without being exhausted.

Try this.  If you're at your computer reading this, let your spine float up to be straight, as if a string is attached to your head, lifting you up gently. Your head should feel like it's floating on top of your spine. Let your low back float too...shift a bit in your chair so your lumbar vertebrae have space and openness. Let the joints in your hips, knees and ankles be open. Drop your shoulders down.

Yes, including the shoulder of your "mouse" hand. Can you use your mouse and keyboard and keep your shoulders down and relaxed? (If not, look at the ergonomics of your computer desk and chair.)

Let the joints of your hands and wrists be open. Are they? Take your hands off your keyboard, stretch your fingers wide, and do figure 8's with both wrists, both directions. Go on - do it! Ten seconds' worth!

Are your hands, wrists and shoulders more relaxed? Good. Check in with your midback. Are the joints there open and relaxed, or hunched forward?

      My spine is straight.

      My shoulders are relaxed.

      My joints are open.

Write these phrases on a sticky note and put it on your computer before you forget or get distracted!

If you're on your phone: take a screenshot and make it your screen image for a day or a week. ESPECIALLY if you're on your phone: check your posture, right now. Is your head bent down while you read? Lift your phone up to eye level, float your spine tall, and again imagine that a string is suspending you from the ceiling or the sky. Let there be some opening and space between your vertebrae. Drop and relax your shoulders.

And take a deep breath. It's AMAZING how much deeper your breath is when you're tall and head-up versus head-down and shoulders hunched.

Now repeat .... all day long. The more relaxed you are throughout the day, the more energy you'll HAVE throughout the day. Today doesn't have to be a battle, so relax your muscles and joints into the moment. You'll get everything done, don't worry. The world won't stop spinning if you relax your muscles and keep openness in your joints while you work.