3 PM Stretch… Do You Need a Break? (Giveaway – 25 Winners!)

Some of my regular readers already know that I work from home. Aside from being a wife, mom and mini-zoo keeper I am also a blogger (of course), freelance writer & photographer and I have my own business. When I’m not running around cleaning, cooking, walking the dog or playing with my kids, I can usually be found at my desk.

I have two computers that are pretty much both on at any given time. My lap top more so then the desk top. I use my lap top for my blogging, writing and keeping up with family and friends. My desk top is my dedicated work computer which houses all my graphics and photos that I work with. There are times I even have the iPad on at the same time because of my work.

Let me tell you, staring at computer screens all day is not the best thing for anyone. I’m OK in the morning for the most part but after staring at the computers and working all morning long and into the afternoon there is something that I look forward to – a break!

Usually around 3 PM (give or take) I am ready for a break. I just need to step away from the computer, do some stretching exercises, grab a snack and something to drink, and just distance myself from my work.

When I am ready for a break I like to do some easy stretching exercises to release the tension and relax my muscles after being hunched over a computer keyboard all morning.

The first thing I like to do is stretch out my fingers and hands. There is really no scientific method to this. All I do is put both hands out in front of my and spread my fingers apart as wide as I can for a few seconds. Then I make a fist then go right back to stretching my fingers out. I like to mix it up by making my fingers do a “wave” (like what you’d see at a stadium). I even like to twist my wrists back and forth too. You can do all of these while still seated.

The next thing I like to do is roll my head around to loosen up my neck. While seated simply let your head drop resting your chin on your body. Wait in that position for a few seconds then slowly move your head to your right shoulder, letting it rest on your shoulder. After a few second look straight up at the ceiling, letting the back of your head rest on your body. Continue on to your left shoulder the same way you did your right shoulder. Rotate your head around like this for a minute or two.

When you are hunched over a desk all day its a good idea to stretch your shoulders out. I find it best to stand for this but you can also do it while seated. Raise your shoulders up as high as you can. Hold for a few seconds then let them drop to your side. Repeat this process several times.

Another thing I like to do that my Mom used to do all the time is extend my arms out to my sides as far as they can go (so that you look like you are forming the letter “T”). Next I slowly move my arms around and around in a circular motion. I do this for a few seconds too. This can be done standing up or sitting.

Lastly I like to stretch out my torso. This is easy to do. All you need to do is twist your body side to side. Start with your left (or right) shoulder. Try and twist it as far as you can towards the opposite side of your body. Once you have gone as far as you can hold for a second or two, release (go back to your shoulders in their normal positions) then do the same thing with the other shoulder.

There are several resources online that give you detailed instructions on how to do exercises at your desk (standing or sitting). Here are a few to get you started.

- http://www.shelterpub.com/_fitness/_desk_stretches/desk_stretches.pdf

- http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/desk-stretches.php.

- http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/stretching-exercises-at-your-desk-12-simple-tips?page=2.

After I have stretched my body out a bit the next thing I usually do is take our dog Espn (“Es-pin”) for a walk. Depending on how I feel I might lap him around part of our condo complex twice. At the very least I do it once. I’m not sure how far I actually walk (I should use a Pedometer). I would have to guess at least a 1/2 mile. I know that doesn’t sound like much but our condo complex is built on a steep hill so there is a lot of walking up and down slopes.

When I get back from our walk I like to take time to tidy up our home. With two children and five pets there is always something that needs to be cleaned up whether its the litter box or just putting away the breakfast dishes. I usually do the bulk of the cleaning early in the morning.

Here is a video I made where I talk about my typical afternoon break. I feel like such a dork when I am talking on video! I also want to apologize for the mess and the Halloween decorations.

Once I have finished with that its time for a snack break. Now that my husband works a regular 9-5 job he doesn’t get home from work until closer to 6 PM. We used to eat dinner at 5 PM because he was home by 3:30. Before his new hours I was OK with that stretch between lunch and dinner. Now that I have to wait an extra hour I find that I need a little something during that stretch of time to hold me over until dinner.

I ♥ coffee and depending on whether or not I need a pick-me-up (aka caffeine) I might make a cup of coffee, espresso, latte or cappuccino. This is NOT my snack but more so something to drink. Most of the time I just reach for a glass of ice cold water. I only have a caffeinated beverage if I am feeling extra sluggish or overly tired (I suffer from insomnia a lot).

For my snack I like to reach for baby carrots, cucumber slices or whatever fruit we have on hand (usually apples, pears and bananas).

Another great snack idea is something that is high in fiber and whole grains. Not only do foods rich in fiber and whole grains make you feel more full and satisfied, they are also vital for optimum health.  Eating foods high in fiber and whole grains may help reduce the risk for certain chronic diseases and contribute to maintaining a healthy weight. Fiber also helps support heart health and may help reduce the risk of certain cancers and diabetes.

A great snack option that is both high in fiber (35% of your daily recommended allowance) and whole grains is the FiberPlus Antioxidant bars. OH MY! Have you tried them? They are oh-so-good! What impresses me the most about the Kelloggs FiberPlus Antioxidant bars is that they are so rich, ooey, gooey and delicious that you don’t even realize that they are an excellent source of fiber and made with whole grains.

To be honest with you the FiberPlus Antioxidant bars taste like you are eating a candy bar or a cookie. They are rich and satisfying. Pair it with a glass of skim milk or water and you have an excellent snack option to help you make it through that long stretch between lunch and dinner. You won’t crave anything else because the bars have such a delicious sweetness to them that you shouldn’t feel the urge to grab for some cookies or candy.

Eating junk foods like candy, chips and cookies might taste good for those few moments you are eating them but after that you are left with nothing. They do not have any nutritional value to them whatsoever. If you are looking for something tasty, sweet and satisfying it only makes sense to grab for a FiberPlus Antioxidant bar. Just one bar is 35% of your required fiber intake and they are rich in antioxidant vitamins C and E and provide 25 grams of whole grains per serving. And did I mention they taste out of this world yummy? My favorite is the Dark Chocolate Almond. The Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Peanut Butter bars are just as tasty too.

Kelloggs is giving away a free box of FiberPlus Antioxidant bars every Friday until the end of November. All you need to do is follow them on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/LadyFibarista. The first 25 people to tweet them on Friday with the hashtag #FiberFriday will win a free box of FiberPlus Antioxident bars. You can real all the rules here, http://web.mediacdt.com/docs/LadyFibaristaTermsConditions.pdf.

To learn more about FiberPlus Antioxidant bars please visit www.KelloggsFiberPlus.com.

Kelloggs would like to awards twenty five (yes – 25!) lucky readers with a coupon good for a free box of FiberPlus Antioxidant bars ($3.49 retail value). Thanks Kelloggs!

Entering is a bit different for this giveaway then others I do here on She Scribes. You can choose either entry method.

1 – Leave me a comment and tell me how you spend YOUR 3 PM break?

2 – Describe how you spend your 3 PM break on Twitter. You MUST include me in the tweet (@She_Scribes) and the hashtag #3PMStretch in order to qualify using this method. Failure to include me andthe hashtag will make the tweet an invalid entry.

You are only allowed ONE entry (either method) per person. Extra entries will be disqualified.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (sorry) and you must be over 18 to enter.

The winners will all be chosen at random using a random number generator on October 24, 2010. All winners will be notified via e-mail and need to reply with a name and mailing address (no PO Box) within 3 days or a new winner will be chosen.

For more information about the rules & regulations you can view them here, http://www.contest-rules-regulations.com/SHESCRIBES_3PMStretch_Final%20Rules.pdf.

Other great giveaways are found on the right side bar under “Win It”.

Kimberly

*I received free sample products and a Flip video camera free to do this review. There was no other compensation. The opinions expressed are my own. Kelloggs will be supplying the winning coupons.

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