Neck stretches
Jade Puckett is a yoga teacher and director of Spiritual Yoga Training in Carlsbad. Her Take5 segment teaches gentle neck stretches that can be done at a desk.
Sit tall in a chair and drop the shoulders back, down and away from the ears. Close the eyes and take a few deep breaths. Drop the chin in toward the chest. Breathe deeply and visualize creating space between each vertebra.
Lift the chin up and away from the chest and slowly drop the head back toward the shoulders, lifting and pressing the chin up to the ceiling. Close the mouth, bringing the stretch into the jaw and the throat. Then slowly lower and bring the head back to the center line of the body.
Slowly turn the head and look over the right shoulder, creating a gentle stretch on the left side. Extend the stretch by bringing the left arm down alongside the body while keeping the chin parallel to the floor. Then turn the head to the other side and look over the left shoulder. Slowly release back to center and drop the chin back in toward the chest and rotate the right ear toward the right shoulder.
Do a few neck rolls, bringing the chin back to the center of the chest and then to the opposite side. Bring the chin back to center of the chest and pause for one last deep breath. During the inhale, lift the chin and sit tall.
This exercise should produce increased circulation through the back of the neck.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Dr. Mark Elliott, chiropractor and founder of Performance Chiropractic Center in Vista. On take5moment.com he offers advice on detecting and dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome.
It is a condition of the hand and wrist usually caused by swelling and inflammation from overuse. Common symptoms include tingling of the thumb and fingers; night pain; numbness; and shoulder, elbow and wrist pain.
Avoid the afternoon crash
Christa Orecchio, a certified clinical nutritionist and holistic health counselor, said, “Seventy-five percent of us have some form of sugar addiction, which is lessening our productivity, decreasing our mental acuity a bit and affecting our overall health.”
People should be careful what they eat in the morning, she said. If it's sweet, it could cause a crash later in the afternoon.
She recommends incorporating natural sweeteners, which can be found at most health stores and markets. Agave nectar comes from the juice of the agave cactus and is sweeter than sugar. It's safe for many people with diabetes, Orecchio said.
Orecchio also suggests walking or drinking a glass of water to battle an afternoon crash. She said most people are slightly dehydrated and don't realize it.
