5 Moves To Soothe Sore Shoulders
Suffering from sore shoulders? Feeling like you couldn't lift a feather let alone a five-pound weight for your next workout? Our shoulders are one of the largest and most mobile joints in our body, which can make them subject to overuse and misuse.
The shoulder area is also where most people tend to feel tension from everyday stress. Couple that with the physical stress of a regular workout routine and you may start to notice some serious discomfort.
But don't throw out your exercise routine just yet. Use these five moves to soothe your shoulders throughout the day and during that strength training workout.
Think about relaxing your shoulders
The simple act of consciously thinking about your shoulders and upper back relaxing will release tension from the muscles and bring relief to the area. This is similar to a technique called progressive muscle relaxation or PMR. In PMR you tense a group of muscles as you breathe in, and you relax them as you breathe out, starting from head-to-toe. Try it for a few weeks, this is a skill that improves with practice.
Push your head up to the sky
Most of us spend hours looking at the computer screen, staring down at our cell phones, or awkwardly slumped during a Netflix binge session. Poor posture has become a habit and can be a leading cause of aching shoulders. When you feel that nagging ache, try this. Take a deep breath and while you exhale imagine the top of your head pushing towards the ceiling and away from your shoulders.
Keep your arms at shoulder height or lower
If raising your arms above your head during a workout is uncomfortable or causes strain, modify your movements so that your arms stay at shoulder height or lower. Making modifications like this can help you stay on track, consistent, and building that fitness habit.
Stay Hydrated
A go-to Fitstyle tip, drinking enough water throughout your day and staying properly hydrated will speed up muscle recovery during and after your workouts and help reduce feeling sore. Aim to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to improve your hydration, make it easier by always keeping a bottle with you throughout the day and make a habit to take a sip every time you check your phone or email!
Stretch before you start
Before beginning a workout or even the workday, take a few minutes to do a few gentle stretches as you make your coffee or get ready to join that zoom call. Moves like shoulder rolls, head tilts, and rotations, and the overhead stretch help relieve shoulder tension.
Try this stretch midday to relax and relieve sore muscles.
Reach your arms straight overhead and interlace your fingers with the palms facing upward.
Raise your arms upward as you press your shoulders down (away from your ears).
Hold for 3-5 deep breaths and then release the stretch.
Repeat.
You can use any combination of these Fitstylish moves to help ease shoulder soreness while working or working out.
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