Shoulder stretches

Best shoulder stretches: shoulder shrugs

When your shoulders have been hunched and immobile for such a long time, releasing them with this shoulder shrug exercise is a massive relief. Simply lift your shoulders up towards your ears and squeeze. Hold them there for a couple of seconds, before relaxing and returning your shoulders to their starting position. Repeat 10 times.

Best shoulder stretches: upper shoulder stretches

This exercise helps to really stretch out the tight muscles in your upper trapezius. Reach your right hand over the top of your head and hold it from the left side. Then pull your head gently down towards your right shoulder, and you should feel a stretch down the side of your neck. Hold for around 10 seconds, then release and do the same on the opposite side.

You can also do a similar exercise to stretch out the back of your neck. Just hold the back of your head and push gently downwards, so your chin tucks in at your chest. Hold for 10 seconds, and then repeat two or three times.

5 shoulder and neck stretches for when you've been staring at a screen all day