Spending a lot of time at the computer can cause repetitive strain injury to your hands, or at the very least you can get aches and pains after long hours of work. Without knowing it we hold so much tension in our hands especially when stressed we tend to clench our hands subconsciously. A few simple exercises throughout the day will help to ease tension and keep your hands and wrists supple.

For a quick fix open your hands and stretch your fingers backwards hold for 6 seconds then relax, do this three times.

Here are 7 simple hand exercises that I would recommend, have a go at them all and see what works best for you. Keep doing them at regular intervals throughout the day after a few days you will be exercising your hands without thinking!

FINGER PRESS – Touch the thumb and forefinger together gently at the fingertips then release, then do the same on each finger, you will feel the tension release.

THE FIST – Make a gentle fist wrapping your thumb across your fingers hold for ten seconds, release and spread your fingers wide. Repeat 6 times this will help strengthen hand muscles.

CLOCK – With hands flat rotate your thumbs in small clockwise circles 6 times then change direction. Keeping the other fingers together or however feels more comfortable.

PALM PLANK – Bring your hands together in prayer position with palms and fingers flat against each other, press the palms tighter together to stretch your wrist as well.

LACEY – Lace your fingers together, extend your arms out in front of you and hold for 6 seconds.

CATS CLAW – Hold your hand out in front of you and bend your fingertips to touch the soft part at the base of each finger, your hand will look a little like a claw, hold for 10 seconds and release. Repeat 6 times.

PIANO STRETCH – Place your hand flat palm down on your desk, lift each finger one at a time as far back as it will comfortably go then back down again. Repeat 6 times.

SEAMS SIGNATURE – Add a small amount of SEAMS Hand Cream into the palm of your hand, with the thumb on the other hand massage the palm in a circular motion, working into the pressure points below the finger joints, then into the centre of the palm. Do the same for the other hand, then add a drop more of SEAMS and massage into both hands.

SEAMS light scent with Fragonia oil will also help to relax your mind at the same time.

Give yourself a helping hand

Karen J