How to relieve neck tension – 10 minute daily stretch

This 10 minute stretch is perfect for relieving neck tension and bringing calm into your day. Life’s daily stresses have a habit of making themselves physically known in our neck and shoulders, with tension compounding in that area. Stress puts a direct strain on our shoulders, keeping them slightly contracted at all times without us even realising. Take a deep breath right now and feel if you are holding any stress in your neck…if you are, breathe out, and let it all go before we begin this 10-minute calming and relaxing stretch that will help relieve tension in our neck and shoulders.

Make sure you are sitting somewhere comfortable with your feet flat on the floor, shoulder width apart with your back straight. Each stretch we will hold for 60 seconds, then release before moving on to the next.

For the first stretch, make sure you have a scarf or a thin towel handy. Ok, I’m excited, let’s get started.

STRETCH 1

Sitting with your back straight, take your scarf behind your neck and the ends in each hand, extending out in front of your body. Gently raise your head back to look up at the sky, and then lower again to look directly forward. Keep the towel held in each hand for the duration of this stretch.

STRETCH 2

Sitting with your back straight, take your scarf behind your neck and the ends in each hand, extending out in front of your body. Gently lower your head guiding your chin to your chest, and then raise again to look directly forward. Keep the towel held in each hand for the duration of this stretch.

STRETCH 3

Begin sitting with hands at either side, back straight and legs together. Raise your hands directly in front of you as you extend your wrists backwards, fingers pointing to the ground. As you do this, gently raise your head backwards. Stop when you feel a stretch in your arms.

Alternate from this position by turning your wrists over, palms out to the front as if you were pushing away from something. Gently lower your head as you do this. Continue alternating between positions for 1 minute.

STRETCH 4

Begin sitting with hands at either side, back straight and legs together. Gently bend your left elbow so that your left hand is tucked behind your back. As you do this, gentle tilt your head to the right until you feel a stretch down the side of your neck. Hold for 30 seconds and then switch sides. You don’t want to push this more than is comfortable, a gentle stretch will achieve optimal results.

STRETCH 5

Begin sitting with hands at either side, back straight and legs together. Keep your eyes forward to start. Keeping it slow and stead, lower your head to look at the floor, then raise your head to look at the sky. Look to the left, look to the right, then tilt your head to the left, then the right. Continue this sequence of movements for 1 minute.

Complete two full rounds of these five stretches.

This is a perfect neck stretch to do daily or any time you feel a little tense. It will you de-stress, relieve pain and tension in the neck and shoulder area and will help you feel calm and centred. ❤️