De-Stress at Work with a Little Office Yoga

While summer doesn’t officially start for another week or so, between the longer days, warm weather, and schools letting out, it’s sure felt like summer for a bit now! And while we can’t give you the summer break your kids are getting, we can give you the tools for a much-needed mini-work break to destress and realign yourself to be ready and alert for the rest of your day.

Stress is no joke: it negatively affects your body, mood, and behavior, which, in turn, can seriously affect your work and productivity. So what’s something you can do to de-stress? Office yoga! Yoga has been shown to help reduce stress in those who practice it. And now we’ve got a little yoga sequence you can do at your desk so you can get right back to helping your clients with their taxes and feel more at ease.

1. First, assume the position by sitting straight in your chair, feet flat on the ground, hands on your thighs. Start to pay more attention to your breath and how your body feels now.
2. Inhale your arms up and over, bringing your hands together above your head. Use your back muscles to keep your chest and upper body lifted. Breathe here for five seconds.
3. Keeping your arms raised, loop your left hand around your right wrist and lean to your left for a side stretch. Gaze up if you can and hold this for five breaths before repeating on the other side.
4. Arms still over your head, place each palm on the opposite elbow and imagine you’re pulling your arms apart, but keep them held together. Hold this pose for five breaths.
5. Next, extend both arms out in front of you and cross your left arm over your right. Bend your elbows 90° and try to touch your palms together. Lift your arms up to rest your chin on your left arm and hold for 3-5 breaths. Cross your arms the other way and repeat.
6. Next, stand for a forward fold (if you need to stop to explain to your coworkers what you’re doing here, feel free and maybe even invite them to join!). While standing, inhale to straighten your spine then, as you exhale, hinge at the hips and slowly fold downwards. Let your arms hang or grab opposite elbows for a frame like we did before. If you need, keep your knees bent here, and stay like this for 3-5 breaths.
7. Release your arms if you need, then slowly roll up to standing. Keep your chin at your chest and place your left, then right hand on top of your heart. Breathe here for a few moments, listening to your heart and body.
8. Now sit back down, making sure to keep your back straight and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on your thighs and as you inhale, round your back and tuck your chin to your chest. On each exhale, lift your face, bring your shoulders back, and lift your chest. Do this for 3-5 rounds of breath.
9. Next, place your right hand in front of you on your desk or chair and twist to place your left hand behind you. Keep your spine tall and breathe here for 3-5 breaths. Repeat on the other side.
10. Now take one last big stretch - however feels best in your body - and smile! Because now you’re ready to take on the rest of your day with a little (or a lot) less stress!

We know filing tax returns can be stressful. That’s why we’re here with the best de-stress tips and the best e-filing software around to help you get your 1099, W-2, ACA, and 941 filing done as quickly and easily as possible! Just stay tuned with ExpressIRSForms and feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your e-filing!