Desk Detox: Simple 'Deskercises' to Combat Sitting Disease at Work

Lisette Marie

5. The Glute Goal-Getter (Hip & Glute Stretch)

Joyful woman stretching body on chair. Photo Credit: Envato @GaudiLab

Tight hips and glutes are a common side effect of sitting. Open them up with this effective stretch. While seated, cross your right ankle over your left knee, creating a figure-four shape. Keep your back straight. If you feel a stretch already, hold here. For more intensity, gently lean your torso forward over your legs, or apply light downward pressure on your right knee. Hold for 20-30 seconds, feeling the stretch in your right glute and hip. Switch legs and repeat. Boosts flexibility and eases lower back discomfort.

6. The Open-Office Opener (Chest Expansion)

Smiling businesswoman stretching arms at office desk. Photo Credit: Envato @msvyatkovska

Hunching over keyboards closes off the chest. Counteract it by opening up. Sit or stand tall. Clasp your hands behind your lower back. Gently squeeze your shoulder blades together and lift your clasped hands slightly away from your body, puffing out your chest. Look slightly upward without straining your neck. Hold for 15-20 seconds, breathing deeply into your expanding chest. Alternatively, place forearms on either side of a doorway and lean gently forward. This combats poor posture and feels incredibly refreshing.

BACK

(3 of 14)

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x600-long zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-bottom">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="7087745678"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-bottom', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
		gtag('event', 'conversion', {
			'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
			'value': 0.0,
			'currency': 'USD'
		});
    	console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
	}
	
    console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

OpenAI Playground 2025-05-13 at 10.55.45.png

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x280-sticky zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-sticky">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:280px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="9869999824"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-sticky', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
	  gtag('event', 'conversion', {
		'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
		'value': 0.0,
		'currency': 'USD'
	  });
	  console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
  	}

console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

5. The Glute Goal-Getter (Hip & Glute Stretch)

6. The Open-Office Opener (Chest Expansion)

MORE FROM HealthPrep