KEEP HANDS FIT AND FLEXIBLE

Happy New Year! SEAMS has had a great start to 2014 – not only are we so excited to have been featured on the beauty pages of The Mail On Sunday’s YOU magazine last Sunday, but we are also happy to be launching our new must-do exercise regime this month: SEAMS’ Hand Yoga. We have been inundated with emails from customers for simple exercises to keep their hands flexible and fit, especially during these cold, winter months. Most of us would never think about exercising our hands, yet they endure so much daily wear and tear, which can lead to joint problems and stiffness. These yoga stretches encourage hands to open up, helping them to be as free, mobile and loose as possible, maximising their potential for everyday tasks. SEAMS’ Hand Yoga comprises of 3 short, easy exercises that help to keep hands and fingers supple and flexible:

1 HAND STRETCH
Gently draw your fingers into a fist placing your thumb on the outside, but don’t squeeze or clench tight. Hold for a few seconds, and then stretch open your hands wide with fingers spread apart.
Hold them for a few seconds, and then repeat the first movement. Do 5 -10 of these close-and-open sets.
SEAMS TIP: For an extra stretch through to your arm, try doing this with your arms out either side of you so they are in a ‘quarter-to-three’ clock position.

2 PALM PLANK
Place your hands in a praying position in front of you, leaving both sets of fingertips touching each other, while separating the palms away from each other. You should feel a stretch in the muscles directly underneath your fingers, which is where we get tight from too much clenching.
SEAMS TIP: Think about your posture while doing this stretch, stomach in, shoulders down, back straight.

3 FINGER PRESS
Bend each finger backwards for an individual stretch. Make sure you support the knuckle joint with your thumb from the opposite hand, and use the rest of the fingers from the opposite hand to bend the finger back.
Another way to do this exercise is to place a finger tip ( up to the first joint), onto a steady flat surface, press down keeping your hand as vertical as possible for comfort and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat on the rest of your fingers and thumbs. This is a great way of relieving finger tension.

SEAMS TIP: You could also massage your fingertips to increase circulation.

4 PALM  MASSAGE
Why not finish up with a 30 second palm massage, use the opposite thumb to massage your palm in a circular movement, this really helps to relieve tension!

The great thing about SEAMS Hand Yoga is that it can be done pretty much anytime and anywhere. When you’re on the telephone for example or having a couple of minutes break from the computer. You could also try to incorporate it into your exercise regime as keeping fit often takes its toll on hands.

Here are ways to keep your hands healthy while you exercise:
SEAMS HAND YOGA:

IF YOU’RE OUTSIDE TRAINING
Running in cold, wet or windy weather can cause dryness and will make fingers’ stiffen up. To avoid dryness, moisturise with SEAMS HAND CREAM before and after training concentrating on knuckles, cuticles and tops of hands. To keep fingers from stiffening, wear gloves but remember to take them off as soon as you get inside and stretch with SEAMS  Hand yoga.

IF YOU’RE CYCLING
There is a hand condition called ‘Handlebar Palsy’ that is a form of repetitive strain injury caused by holding the bike’s handlebars too tightly. So as well as protecting hands from the elements by wearing bike gloves (make sure you wear new gloves in before a long cycle!) and using SEAMS before and after you cycle, you may want to consider doing a short session of SEAMS Hand Yoga.

IF YOU’RE AT THE GYM
Most gyms encourage us to use antibacterial gels after each weight session. Yet while hygienic they are also drying for the hands. SEAMS Hand Cream contains Fragonia oil which will help keep ‘gym germs’ at bay, its non-greasy texture won’t make hands slippery.

IF YOU’RE BOXING
Hands can get sore during a boxing session, as they are prone to developing calluses caused by friction and tension against your palms. So as well as a pre-box moisturise, it’s also worth using SEAMS at night for extra help softening your palms. If you develop any hard skin, rub the area with a pumice whilst in the shower.

IF YOU’RE SWIMMING
Chlorine and expose to the extreme heat of the pool versus the cold temperatures outside can wreak havoc with the condition of hands. Make sure you keep a tube of SEAMS in your gym bag to keep them nourished before and after you hit the pool. It’s also worth noting that the SEAMS lovely light scent will help take away the medicinal chlorine smell that normally clings to the skin.

Happy exercising

Karen J