Reset at your desk: Supporting your musculoskeletal health
01 July 2026
Last reviewed: 01 July 2026
Body scan reset
Feeling tense at your desk? Annie shows us a body scan technique to help you reset and reconnect with your body during a busy working day.
Rather than immediately adjusting your screen, chair, or desk when discomfort strikes, a different approach might be encouraged: listening to your body. In this guided body scan, combine mindful breathing with gentle awareness, tracing your attention from your head to your hips to identify areas of tension. This simple practice can help you pause, reset, and better understand what your body needs, making it an effective wellbeing tool for even the busiest days at work.
Reset your posture in a few breaths
Stress and anxiety can affect more than your mind they can impact your posture too. Annie demonstrates a simple breathing technique to help reset both.
When we're stressed, our breathing often becomes shallow, creating tension throughout the body and affecting our posture. In this short exercise, learn more about lateral breathing, a technique designed to encourage fuller, more supportive breaths. By placing your hands on the sides of your ribs and breathing into your palms, you'll become more aware of how your body moves with each breath. In just a few moments, this exercise can help release tension, improve posture, and create a greater sense of calm and control throughout the day.
Desk stretches for musculoskeletal health
Musculoskeletal conditions are one of the leading causes of sickness absence in the UK. Annie shares four simple desk stretches to help keep you moving.
Many musculoskeletal (MSK) issues can be prevented or managed through regular movement, making small habits throughout the day more important than ever. This video demonstrates four desk-based stretches: a neck stretch, wrist release, spinal twist, and figure-four stretch. These simple movements can be completed in just a few minutes and are designed to ease tension, improve mobility, and encourage healthy movement patterns. Incorporating regular micro-breaks into your working day can help you feel more relaxed, agile, and comfortable both at your desk and beyond.
About the author
Annie Clarke is an internationally renowned yoga teacher, author and wellness consultant. Hailing from London, Annie has a passion for empowering people with the tools they need to nurture their wellbeing. Annie fosters a warm and inclusive community where everyone is welcomed with open hearts. Through workshops, retreats, and online offerings, she creates spaces for connection and growth, allowing her students to support and inspire each other on their individual journeys.
