Neck stretching 101: Easy exercises for a more relaxed neck
What's the story
Neck flexibility is essential for staying mobile and minimizing the chances of injury.
By including certain exercises in your daily routine, you can improve neck flexibility, relieve tension, and correct posture.
Here, we list five must-do exercises that can be conveniently added to your everyday schedule to keep your neck healthy.
Tilt exercise
Gentle neck tilts
Gentle neck tilts are a simple way to start improving flexibility.
Start by sitting or standing comfortably with your back straight.
Slowly tilt your head towards one shoulder, hold for a few seconds, then return to the center.
Repeat on the other side.
Do this exercise five times on each side to help loosen tight muscles and increase range of motion.
Rotation exercise
Controlled neck rotations
Controlled neck rotations can help improve flexibility and relieve stiffness.
Sit or stand upright, then slowly rotate your head to one side, as far as comfortable (without straining).
Hold for a second before returning to the center and repeating on the other side.
Aim for five repetitions per side, ensuring smooth and controlled movements all throughout.
Bend exercise
Forward and backward bends
Forward and backward bends target different muscle groups in the neck area, promoting balanced flexibility.
Start by gently lowering your chin towards your chest while keeping shoulders relaxed; hold briefly before lifting your chin upwards without overextending it backward.
Repeat this sequence five times each direction for optimal results.
Stretch exercise
Lateral neck stretches
Lateral neck stretches make you suppler if done regularly.
Sit straight, place one hand on the opposite ear, and gently pull sideways till you feel a slight tension.
Hold for a few seconds before switching sides.
Repeat 10 times, alternating sides to ensure even effort from both sides of the neck region.
The consistent practice will improve flexibility and health outcomes.