So you've probably noticed that, as much as you love stitching, sometimes when you're done and try to get up.... you can't!  Everything hurts, won't move, or both!  While some of this may be due to age or physical conditioning, a lot of it can be eased by simply moving more often. 

Here are a few tips and suggestions to get you started....

First of all SIT PROPERLY!  Use a small pillow or other support at your back, if your chair DN have a built in support.  If you're short (like me), try a small stool to raise your feet off the floor, so your legs are bent at 90 degrees, and the circulation isn't cut off by furniture digging into the backs of your thighs or knees.

Make sure your light is adjusted so that it shines where you are working, without you leaning over to see better.  Same for a magnifier (even the great one we carry) - always move the light / magnifier to YOU, don't you move to them. 

Now that you're comfortable - get up, LOL.  Every hour (at least), stand up and stretch.  I know you only have a few more stitches to do to finish that section (wink), but they'll still be there after you stretch, so get up when the time is up, not when you're done stitching!

Here are some ways to remind yourself it's time to move:
     - If you watch TV while you stitch, use that as a timer.  Whenever the program changes, you change position.  Just remember if you're watching a movie, or something quite long, to use a commercial break about half-way through to do your stretching.

     - If you listen to the radio while you stitch, listen for the news (on the hour), or the time announcement, and get up every hour or so.  If you listen to music, stretch every time you get up to change the CD.

     - Or do what I do, and get a kitchen timer.  Set it for an hour, and when it goes off, get up!

Be sure to take any physical ailments you might have into consideration, and ask your doctor for stretches that might be safer for you... but here are a few stretches that I use that are as easy as 1-2-3: 

ONE: Stand up with your feet slightly apart, and stretch your arms over your head, holding one wrist, then the other, as you SLIGHTLY turn and lean forward to stretch your back muscles.  Keep your arms in front of your ears, and do not lean back.

TWO: With your arms hanging loosely by your sides, relax your shoulders and gently circle your head, or slowly tilt your head side to side (ears towards your shoulders) - SLOWLY and GENTLY are the key words here, you don't want to pull any muscles! 

THREE: I find that I can ease my hands by stretching them as wide as I can for the count of 10, then making a fist for the count of 10 (not a tight fist, more of a folded fist, you don't want to add stress or pain, you're trying to remove it).  Repeat this 3-5 times, depending on how stiff your hands are.  FYI, this also works great first thing in the morning, if you're like me and have some stiffness in your fingers when you wake up. 

Funnily enough, it's the wide stretch that seems to do the most good, rather than the closed fist.  I have also read of this exercise being done by stretching, then folding your fingers half-way down (to the top of your palm), then stretching and folding your fingers down to the bottom of your palm (do not make a fist).  Try both ways and see which works best for you.  I have one finger that won't bend (no pain, fortunately), but a slight curl is the best it will do... these hand stretches really help.

And I hope this helps you... disclaimer time - I am not a doctor... these are just some things I have found that helped me over the years.  As I mentioned earlier, if you have any physical issues check with your doctor before trying these.  Do them slowly and gently, and stop at the first sign of discomfort... and happy stitching!