Exercise

If you need to stay in bed, even small activities like stretching or moving your arms or legs can help you stay flexible, relieve muscle tension, and help you feel better.

Alternatives for exercise in bed include:

• Use light dumb bells or elastic bands to exercise your arms and upper body.
• Contract/tense each of your muscles, one at a time.
  • Hold the contraction for a count of 6, then release for 2 counts.
  • Repeat for a set of 10.
  • To keep track, start with your face and work your way down, or with your toes and work your way up.
• Start and end with stretching. 

Resources to consider:

• Carol Dickman's Bed Top Yoga,  available in DVD, audio and video cassettes at www.Stretch.com - stretching exercises based in Yoga.
• Get Fit In Bed, Tone Your Body & Calm Your Mind From The Comfort of Your Bed, by Genie Tartell, D.C., R.N., Ted Kavanau, New Harbinger Publications, Oakland, CA 2006 (used copies can be purchased very inexpensively through such web sites as www.bn.com )

NOTE: Talk with your doctor or other health care provider before starting any exercise.

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