Four Wrist Exercises You Should Be Doing If You Work On A Laptop All Day

Thanks to remote work and working from home, you can take your laptop just about anywhere to get some work done. While you're celebrating the freedom this device gives you, it's important to support your wrist posture by adding in some exercises if you find yourself on the computer all day.

Before we begin, it's important to note that the most protective wrist posture is a neutral position, which is when your wrists and hands are in alignment (per Verywell Fit). It's important to take breaks often — even 30 seconds is beneficial, so try moving your wrist in the opposite position it was in while typing (per Well+Good). During your break, consider adding a hand exercise — begin by clenching your fist, then release and touch each finger with your thumb.

To target both the hands and wrists, Healthline suggests using a prayer position exercise. As the name suggests, start in a prayer position with your arms and elbows touching each other. Move your elbows slowly apart while keeping your hands in a prayer position and lower toward your waist (per Healthline).

For building wrist strength, one of the best exercises to try is squeezing a tennis ball or stress ball for 10 seconds (via Healthline). For a wrist mobility stretch, Well+Good suggests letting your arms fall down to your sides, then tapping your fingertips to your shoulders from this position.

Wrist exercises are extremely important, as they help build hand and wrist strength. Whether you're working from home or in the office, repetitive movements of the hands and wrists come with the territory. Constant typing or scrolling can put your wrist in an awkward position and lead to musculoskeletal problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, according to Well+Good. Carpal tunnel happens when repetitive movements overstress the median nerve, resulting in tingling, numbness, or weakness (via Mayo Clinic).

Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, constant strain and wrist flexing may also lead to inflammation of the tendons, also known as tendonitis (per Well+Good). While it can happen anywhere in the body, MedicalNewsToday shares that wrist tendonitis is common in those who type, write, or play sports often. Common symptoms of this medical condition include wrist pain, swelling, and tenderness around the joint (per MedicalNewsToday).

According to Healthline, wrist stretches combat this because they prevent injury and keep your wrist flexible. However, anyone experiencing severe pain, tingling, or joint damage should consult with their physician before attempting these exercises.