Hotel Room Stretches

Many people dread those occasional business trips because they interfere with the regular regimen of physical fitness activities which have become habit while at home. So a break in good exercise habits, coupled with more limited physical activity while traveling and sometimes a tendency to overeat can result in a feeling of malaise at a time when you most want to be enjoying your surroundings, if on vacation; or in peak mental condition if negotiating business for yourself or your company.

There are some things which you can do to maintain your exercise routines, even though you're stuck in a hotel room with no elaborate exercise equipment available. Sometimes the simple exercises are the most effective ones and you can take advantage of that in the routine that follows.

Begin by sitting on a chair, taking three deep breaths, then raising one arm over your head for ten seconds. Breathing normally throughout, repeat with the other arm. Next, relax your shoulders, then put both arms out to the side at shoulder height and rotate the entire arm in small circles, ten times clockwise and ten times counterclockwise.

While still continuing normal breathing patterns, bring your fingertips to each shoulder and roll your shoulders ten times clockwise, then ten times counterclockwise. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your fingertips on your shoulders, bring your elbows together ten times. Relaxation is still the keyword here.

Next, bring both arms together extended above your head, lean and stretch to the right ten times, then to the left ten times.

Next, you can concentrate on the lower body by walking your fingers down your leg as far as you can comfortably stretch while still seated, then walk your fingers back up the leg. This exercise should also be done 10 times on each leg.

With your hands on your thighs, lean forward and back ten times, keeping your back straight. Then stomp your feet, quietly!. Lift one foot and then the other shaking them from the ankles and flexing the ankles. Place both feet flat on the floor. Lift the toes of both feet as far as you can toward the ceiling keeping just your heels on the floor. Lift each knee ten times.

Still sitting, touch your fingertips to the opposite knee or calf or toe if you can reach it without pain, and hold it for ten seconds. Repeat this ten times, then switch to the opposite side and repeat the process.

Pretend you are playing the piano in the air in front of you. Trace the letters of the alphabet with just your fingers in the air. Next, open your mouth as wide as you can as if you were going to yell, only don't make a sound. Then, instead of screaming, say the vowels out loud. Finish up your exercise regiment by taking three deep breaths.

This simple exercise routine uses every part of your body. Granted, it's not an aerobic workout, but you can gain that by choosing to use stairs instead of an elevator, or by taking a brisk walk around the hotel and back first thing each morning.