This article is part of SELFs third annualRest Week, an editorial package dedicated to doing less.
Taking care of yourself, physically and emotionally, is impossible without genuine downtime.
(And were taking our own advice: The SELF staff will be OOO during this time!)
Nolan Pelletier
As you’re free to see, were all for taking intentional time to relax and unwind.
And thats not exactly restorative.
So whats a chill-seeking person to do?
Youll start with the lunging hip flexor stretch, a standing move that targets your front hip muscles.
Finally, youll finish with figure-four, a classic stretch that can loosen up tight outer hips and glutes.
can be really helpful for managing everyday-life stress, Rinsky says.
Another perk of this routine: You dont need a ton of time to knock it out.
As Rinsky puts it, theres never a bad time to prioritize your health and your body.
The Workout
What you need:Just your bodyweight!
You may also want a yoga mat for comfort.
Any order is fine, Rinsky says.
Thats because those areas are connected, so tightness in one spot can lead to issues in the other.
This stretch combats all that by loosening up the front of your hips.
It gently mobilizes the spine, easing tightness and improving posture, Rinsky says.
This stretch targets those areas to help loosen your upper body.
Figure-Four Stretch
Sitting on your butt can tighten it up and also shorten your outer hip muscles.
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