Break out of your blogging comfort zone
When Joanna Young announced the Mission Im(Possible): Group Writing Project I thought about it for days trying to come up with an idea. The theme was Possibility and the challenge was to write something in a different voice or use a different medium.
I kept drawing blanks. I stretched the brain from writing jingles, to a Twitter conversation between the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs. When Joanna suggested I try doodling, drawing, painting or music, I decided to doodle something. But what?
An idea came after doing some exercises to prevent that shoulder slouch that threatens from sitting at the computer for too long. It had been ages since I’d done them because “I never seem to have the time.” I’m an all or nothing type person it seems; if I don’t have a half hour for exercise, 10 minutes just won’t do. So, I mostly don’t do it.
After just five minutes of stretches I felt GREAT! It seems that five or 10 minutes is better than none. I decided to doodle some diagrams to illustrate how to relieve that shoulder tension. You DO have it right?
Well, I can tell you that I started with a pretty negative mindset. It had been years since I’d drawn anything. I did a lot of mirror gazing to get the drawings right (and a lot of erasing). Once I got into it, the negative mindset faded away and it was just fun. This was a fantastic exercise for more than just my shoulders. Plus, I got to try my hand at technical writing. Thanks Joanna for making me “stretch”; now it’s your turn :-) .
5 easy exercises to relieve blogger stress
Note: If you have any back, neck or shoulder injuries, please check with your doctor, physical therapist or chiropractor before doing these exercises.
1. Warm-up: While standing, do 10 shoulder roles forward and backward. Then, circle your head slowly from left to right, 10 times in each direction. Don’t rush this; be aware of every angle of the circle you are making. Just let your head drop, don’t force the movement and keep your shoulders down.
2. Belly Breathing
While sitting, take a scarf, belt or towel, and loosely wrap it around your mid-section from back to front, crossing the ends in front of you. Hold the ends lightly and feel the slight pressure of the scarf around your lower ribcage. Take a slow deep breath, inhaling through your nostrils and feel your ribcage push gently into the scarf. Pause for a count of five. Exhale slowly through your mouth and feel the pressure from the scarf lessen. Your hands are not tightening or loosening the scarf. Allow your ribcage to push into the scarf and then relax. Repeat five to 10 times.
3. Wrist Twist
Note: No flyswatter required. Yes this is just her arm and hand. :-)
While sitting, raise your arms in front of you, with elbows bent at a 90° angle and palms facing each other. Keep your wrists relaxed, then flip your hands rapidly back and forth, rotating your wrists. Do this for 30 to 60 seconds or longer. Our wrists see a lot of repetitive movements while typing and clicking the mouse. This will get the circulation moving again.
4. Shoulder Strap
While sitting, hold the scarf with your hands positioned about shoulder width apart. Raise your arms above your head and hold for a count of five. Be careful not to arch your lower back and keep your chin level. Slowly lower the scarf so that it is stretched behind your head. Keep your arms parallel to the floor, your chin up and head straight, and don’t tilt your elbows backward or forward. Hold for a count of five. Repeat five to 10 times. Feel the burn in your shoulder blades? You’ve got it!
5. Arm Raise
Step one: This is done standing and is interchangeable with the Shoulder Strap exercise, or you can do both. Raise arms parallel to the floor, palms facing down. Keep shoulders relaxed and down.
Step two: Turn your palms slowly, so they are facing upward; notice the stretch in your wrist and shoulders. Raise your arms up, crossing them gently over your head.
Step three: Then lower arms so they are parallel to the floor with palms facing the ceiling.
Step four: Slowly turn your palms towards the floor and lower your arms to your side. Keep your arms in line with your body during each step of this exercise. This is a continuous movement done slowly to feel the stretch at each position. Repeat five to 10 times.
So there you have it: Five easy shoulder, wrist and neck exercises to relieve the accumulative physical stress of blogging.
If you want to participate in Joanna’s Group Writing Project, there’s still time. Post your entries by Friday, August 21st.
What exercises do you use to keep yourself healthy?
What medium or topic would stretch your blogging comfort zone?
Photo Credit: René Ehrhardt
Doodle Design: Davina Haisell
Linda
Barbara Swafford
Deb Dorchak
Tony Single
Chris Edgar
Sara
Jeffrey Willius
Doug Gene
{ 40 comments }
Davina, thinking outside the box isn’t very easy, sometimes, yet it’s so helpful to try. It’s like taking a quick walk in brisk weather; really shakes out the cobwebs. This was great—all the way around, and you should feel proud of yourself! Your topic is such an important one, and I know from experience. My herniated neck and rounding shoulders remind me daily to stretch, yet, like you, it’s something I tend to postpone. Your drawings are wonderful depictions of how simply and effectively we can treat ourselves to some comfort and a physical breath of fresh air. Grateful hugs to you for the reminders to stretch everything, literally and figuratively. :)
.-= Julie´s last blog ..The Honor is All Mine =-.
Davina, I really enjoyed this post of yours. Your doodles add value to the topic and make the post more interesting and fun to read.
My exercise routine is actually a combination of some favorite exercises from yoga, karate, kick boxing, gym etc. I just do what I like and skip the rest :)
Currently I have started with running (starting third week of Couch to 5k plan next week). And it’s fun. I wait impatiently for my running time to come – which is a big thing since I used to hate running.
.-= Avani Mehta´s last blog ..Isn’t The Joy Of Doing Enough? =-.
So much fun to see your doodles, and know you had fun when you did it. Breaking out of our comfort zone is hard… but so freeing, exciting, creative and yes, fun, when we do. Thanks for playing Davina :-)
.-= Joanna Young´s last blog ..The Art of Paying Attention =-.
Whenever I’m drawing a blank at my computer, a good workout usually gets me in gear. I even started recorded what I’m thinking while I’m working out so that I wont forget before I can put it on paper.
.-= Carla´s last blog ..Two Great Green Living Blogs =-.
Great post! I love the drawings. :) They’re great!!
.-= Positively Present´s last blog ..go on, admit you’re happy =-.
Davina,
You continue to surprise me. Love the doodles, and I started stretching the moment I saw your first doodle. It does feel great!
This is one of the most practical posts I’ve seen, with exercises that anyone who is reading this (persumably on a computer or phone) could do right now, and probably needs. Stumbled!
.-= Daphne @ Joyful Days´s last blog ..How to Give SMART Encouragement =-.
These are really great exercises to stretch. I definitely will start using them as I am behind a computer a good portion of my day.. as a matter of fact I think I’ll start right now :)..
My friend just showed me one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century – a styrofoam cylinder. You buy this huge noodle and put any muscle that needs stressing against it with all your weight. It truly is amazing.
.-= antique engagement ring advice – Stephen´s last blog ..Antique Engagement Ring Styles =-.
Davina, you are a very creative soul. Thanks for sharing this post. People can also choose to exercise the mind and spirit though astral and lucid dreaming experiences. Thiey invite people to exercise different levels of flexibility and also to step outside conscious comfort zones.
.-= Liara Covert´s last blog ..Everything comes full circle =-.
I am being far too lazy this summer with my exercise but I’ll be going for lots of nice walks in the cool of Canada and once we get back to Texas it’ll be only a week until school starts, when I’ll be back on the walking trail after dropping Kelly to school in the mornings.
I did 100 buttock lifts and 30 minutes of dancing around a few times last week. And two weeks ago lifted a box of photos up onto a shelf, whew.
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..46 Blogging Observations So Far =-.
Davina,
I love it! The drawings are fabulous and to actually do something creative instead of talking about it puts you head and shoulders above me.
.-= Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..Do You Dare =-.
My God I love blogging and connecting with you all… whether it’s here or on Twitter. What a great time I’m having! Thank you everyone for visiting and for all your support.
Hi Julie.
Oh, a herniated neck must have been so painful! I had a herniated disc in my lower back many years ago so I understand completely. As I’ve found, stretching really does help. I’m sure that yoga was responsible for the injury healing faster than the chiropractor thought it would.
You are so right about a walk in the brisk weather too. Nature really does offer us many opportunities for growth and learning. We are blessed. Hugs back atcha :-)
Hi Avani.
I like your style — “I just do what I like and skip it.” You’ll be more likely to stick with it with that routine. You inspire me about the running… not something that I’ve been able to do well. That’s great — Go, go, go!
Hi Joannna.
Thank you for the chance to play! This was more fun than I could have imagined. This is because of you and your Group Writing Project. :-)
Hi Carla.
That’s a great idea to record what you are thinking while you are working out. It sure beats trying to write it down while you’re on the step machine.
Hi Dani.
Thanks. I’m glad you are an art-lover, heh, heh :-)
Hi Daphne.
Hey that’s great that you already have tried the stretching. Yay. I tweeted my thanks to you for stumbling… but again, thank you so much. These exercises are very helpful.
Hi Stephen.
They are great exercises — I agree. And, there’s no time like the present to get started! :-) That styrofoam cylinder sounds interesting… I’ve never heard of anything like that.
Hi Liara.
Thank you and you are welcome. It was my pleasure. Thank you for the reminder to also exercise the mind and spirit. I love your mention about stepping outside of “conscious comfort zones”.
Hi Jannie.
Lazy? You? Well… I think you just have other priorities. But I hear you though… those “should” voices nag us about these things. 100 buttock lifts! Ouch! How did you sit the next day? :-)
Hi Tess.
Thank you. This was a great experience. Are you going to contribute to the Group Writing Project then? I dare you! ;-)
Thank you for the suggestions. I may just try some of the exercises myself! I take frequent breaks from my desk and sometimes, do a 10-minute abdominal exercise.
.-= Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..Align with Abundance =-.
Davina!
Not only did you step out of the box, you crushed it out of the way!
I love your illustrations! They are simple and to the point. Sometimes we tend to complicate even the simplest things don’t we? Heck, we are so human that we can even complicate the involuntary act of “breathing!”
.-= Henie´s last blog ..An Evening at Tiffany’s with The Black Card Circle Foundation =-.
Hi Evelyn.
You’re welcome. I think you’ll enjoy these. The “shoulder strap” is my favourite. Using the scarf for the belly breathing exercise really makes a difference.
Hi Henie.
Hey thanks. Just a little something I cooked up. Don’t think I could have taken it beyond simple in this case. That is your department Ms Artiste ;-) Your work is fabulous.
What great ideas!! I usually do a good stretch after blogging for a while.
Your doodles make the exercise more fun.
.-= LisaNewton´s last blog ..12 Beautiful Doors of Hollywoodland =-.
Hi Davina,
You did marvelous on this assignment. Not only did you get to doodle again, but you taught us how to relieve that blogging stress. And on some days, boy do I need that.
The wrist exercise (#3) reminds me of the “parade wave”. :lol:
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Looking Into The Future =-.
Hi Lisa.
These are great exercises; some I picked up from yoga class. The breathing technique was taught in a pilates class.
Hi Barbara.
Thank you. I’ve been noticing stiffness in the wrist over the past year & the wrist twist does get the circulation going. Lol, re the parade wave — ha, ha, you’re absolutely right.
Davina,
Okay, I LOVE the doodles! Awesome, awesome, awesome!
And because there were pictures…I tried them out. And do you know what – it all felt really good! So, because there were pictures, I tried these (illustrations work!).
For me, exercise is a bike ride or a run, or maybe doing some strength training exercises (not enough of these right now!). And it always feels good to get the body moving! (even though it might hurt the next day…)
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Yeah I have been sticking out to my routine for around 3-4 years (whenever I exercise that is ;)) Now even though I love my exercises I am craving for something new. Getting bored with same old same old. Hence am experimenting with running, some exercise videos, using body weight etc etc.
If you want to take up running, C25k is the way to go. They make running simple (just make sure you don’t see in advance what’s in store for you next few weeks.)
My dream is to run for 30 minutes at a stretch. Just want to know how it feels.
.-= Avani Mehta´s last blog ..Hold On To Your Dreams =-.
I love your drawings, Davina! Not to mention your highly technically written instructions. I don’t think I’ve got time to do the exercises, but I’m sure they would be very beneficial if I did… now to look at your drawings one more time! – R
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Blogger Meet-Up! =-.
Thanks for this. I’ve actually been doing the “breathing into your stomach” exercise for a long time, by just putting my hand on my belly and focusing on the feeling of pressure there, and it’s a great way to connect with a sense of groundedness.
I love these exercises. I recently got myself a decent office chair and it makes a real difference. Also: getting up and moving once in a while!
.-= Vered – Blogger for Hire´s last blog ..Value of Social Networking =-.
Hi Lance.
Hey, I’m impressed that you actually did the exercises! That’s great. It does feel good to get the body moving… even if it DOES hurt the next day. It’s a good hurt :-)
Hi Avani.
Lol — you stick to your routine (whenever you exercise) — ha, ha. Finding different ways to exercise is probably just as good mentally as it is physically. Good luck with your goal of running for 30 minutes. Let me know how it goes.
Hi Robin.
Hah, thanks! You know… you can do the shoulder strap exercise while you’re reading blog posts :-)
Hi Chris.
You’re welcome. That’s great that you’ve been practicing the breathing exercise for a while — eventually it becomes a habit — a good habit. I’m curious to see if you’d find a difference if you tried the breathing with the scarf or a belt. It’s a neat feeling to feel that slight pressure around the entire ribcage.
Hi Vered.
I know what you mean. Having a good office chair DOES make a difference… as long as it’s not so comfortable that you DON’T want to get up and move around ;-)
Friar… oh pshaw! You mean…. walk away from our computers? I realized I had an addiction and tried the 12-step program. Unfortunately, 12 steps didn’t get me far enough away. But all kidding aside… you are absolutely right.
Hi Davina .. I love what Friar says ..such a good way of putting it. The diagrams and exercises are fun and pertinent .. I definitely feel I need a change from the dreaded buttock sit! I run up and down stairs. I’m going to give them a go – as I do need to put something in place now that the big challenge I had is fading and I can perhaps get back to me ..
Thanks .. all the best .. & the Windex .. is so good too ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..How are the Romans, Monty Python and Jugglers all linked to Scotland? =-.
Davina, so much exercise….:(…..i am a lazy lazy gal..and i truly hate exercising…but your little doodles of insight are much too cute to ignore…so i am gonna start from today.
The only exercise i get these days is running behind my 2 yr old with a bowl of food..phew..thats a lot of miles considering how hyperactive she is. I do yoga whenever i can though…i try atleast thrice a week…thats more than enough stress busting for me;)and now i add your insightful exercises. i am gonna be a fit blogger soon!
.-= Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..Looking Inward To Find Your True Self. =-.
Davina — Hey, this was fun. I loved the doodles and following your clear instructions. Actually, your instructions were better than the ones I got from my chiropractor:~)
It was a cool idea to select a technical writing piece…that’s not an easy assignment. You like to give yourself challenges and you succeeded with this one very well indeed!
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Story Photo: The Face Off =-.
Hi Davina, Way to dive in on this project! Your technical writing is great and your doodles illustrate the instructions perfectly! Well done!
.-= Jodi at Joy Discovered´s last blog ..Your Environment =-.
Great tips and I like the topic. I am guilty as charged for not stretching or working out enough. I do workout my eating skills, though, very well.
Topics that would take me out of my comfort zone would be topics that are highly argumentative or criticized. I suppose it wouldn’t be as bad if that’s what my blog was about, but since it’s not, best I stay away from those topics.
.-= John Hoff – WpBlogHost´s last blog ..A-List Bloggers & Everyday Bloggers, They Do Things Differently =-.
Great advice and the illustrations were a great addition to an already good article!
I exercise daily, most often strength training with weights, but I also love to bike ride. I don’t always feel like doing it but I do it anyway. I know it has helped to keep me healthy and mobile. For that I am so thankful!
Thanks for the great reading!
.-= Keith´s last blog ..Stay The Course! =-.
Hi Hilary.
Yes, that Friar certainly does have a way with words. I know what you mean about the “fading” of challenges. Seems that when we do something for too long… it no longer IS a challenge and it’s easy to lose interest. I hope these exercises shake things up for you.
Hi Zeenat.
That’s great you’re gonna give these a try. Your two-year-old might get a kick from watching you. Might even be enough to get her to stand or sit still for 10-15 minutes ;-)
Hi Sara.
Thank you. This was pretty fun actually. Things just fell into place once the idea landed.
Hi Jodi.
Hey, thanks. All the mirror gazing (and erasing) paid off I guess :-)
Hi John.
Lol, so you work out your eating skills. Your bloopers post was hilarious. I’d like to see more of those; either the cat in the background, or your wee baby :-)
Hi Keith.
Thanks and you’re welcome. You have good discipline it sounds like. I guess the only exercise to improve THAT is to just get on the bike… over and over and over again. Health IS something to be thankful for.
You really did stretch your limits for this — always a good feeling!
So, when can we read the “Twitter conversation between the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs”?
:-)
.-= Lori Hoeck´s last blog ..What you can do about a shooter in the building, part 2 =-.
Hi Lori.
You’re right. It WAS great to stretch. Lol, I think once Prince Charming wakes me with a kiss… then I’ll write that Twitter conversation between the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs. But the problem is, he’s still a toad and is waiting for my kiss. So… alas, I dunno what to do :-)
I’m not a pro blogger, but I work in an office, so I can share a few things in common, and what I do is to run. Running is great to relieve tension, even if at times I find hard to believe it “Oh, I have so much to do AND run?”
Well, running works
Hi Miguel.
I admire people who run. The only running I do is to catch a bus.
Davina,
You wrote:
“I’m an all or nothing type person it seems; if I don’t have a half hour for exercise, 10 minutes just won’t do. So, I mostly don’t do it.”
ME TOO!!! The thing is – mine is even worse. Long ago, I used to do the FIRM aerobic weight training workouts DAILY. These intense workouts were never meant to be daily – but somehow, if I wasn’t doing them daily – well, I wasn’t doing them.
The thing is, in the past few -gulp- YEARS- if I didn’t have 40 minutes PLUS time to shower and get ready- well, let’s just say that time was NOT on my side and that “all or nothing” mentality you mentioned meant nothing.
I could have avoided where I am now with such simple GENTLE moves as these along the way. THANKS!!!
.-= Kathy | Virtual Impax´s last blog ..What Michael Jackson can teach business about social media… =-.
Hi Kathy.
You’re welcome. It IS interesting how we short-change ourselves. We have our best intentions in mind, but the immediate survival instincts kick in and we charge full speed ahead. Luckily, these bodies of ours are pretty resilient and it’s never too late to start…. or not :-)
Hmm. I wonder if I would have had all this shoulder tension if I had blogged 20 years ago. But then, I wonder if I could still be blogging now if I had started back then! Not that I’d get bored, of course, but I’d probably have my shoulders all tied in a knot … along with carpal tunnel syndrome!
.-= Terry Heath´s last blog ..Two Ways to Laugh, Two Ways to Live =-.
Hi Terry.
Ah, you’d probably have found another reason to carry shoulder tension. I think we just try too hard because we care so much and want to do the right thing; no matter what we are doing.
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