If your job requires you to sit for long periods of time or make repetitive movements for several hours during the day, your energy level can ebb away slowly, leaving you feeling lethargic and even sleepy. Alternatively, your stress levels can spike when doing the same things for long stretches of time. Re-energize yourself by doing some terrific exercises for energy-boosting microbreaks. These microbreaks will increase your energy and boost your mood and productivity in just minutes. You can do these exercises anywhere without the need of any special equipment. Set aside a couple of minutes during your day for these exercises. You can even do them upon waking to get your day started the right way.
1. Squat to Calf Raise
Begin in an upright standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart. Extend both arms in front of your body and bend your knees to move into a squat position, ideally bringing your knees to a 90-degree angle. Raise back up and lift up on your toes. Return to the starting position and repeat the movement.
Squat to Calf Raise
Start off with one set of 5 reps. Perform this exercise in a smooth, controlled movement with a quick stop in the upright position.
2. Skater Jumps
Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees and hinge through your hips to move into an athletic position. Take a big step to one side as you counter the movement by raising your opposite hand. Repeat the movement on the opposite side.
Skater Jumps
Start off with one set of 5 reps on each side. Perform this exercise in a smooth, controlled movement with a brief stop at the end of each jump.
3. Curtsy Lunges With Arms
Begin in an upright standing position. Bring one leg behind the other and lower your back knee into a curtsy lunge while extending your arms overhead — similar to a jumping jack. Raise back up to return to the starting position and repeat the movement on the opposite side.
Curtsy Lunges With Arms
Start off with one set of 5 reps. Perform this exercise in a smooth, controlled movement throughout the exercise.
4. Full Body Openers
Begin the microbreak stretches to boost your productivity and energy, in an upright standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart, maintaining proper alignment with your head, shoulders and hips. Bend through your hips and knees to move into a deep squat, and then raise up as you lift your arms overhead. Return to the starting position and repeat the movement.
Full Body Openers
Start off with one set of 5 reps. Perform this exercise in a smooth, controlled movement with a quick stop in the upright position.
Give these four microbreak stretches to boost your productivity and energy a try to get a quick burst of energy whenever you need it during the day.
For an effective and equipment-free workout, check out the Bodyweight Blender program, here!
