Do not get stiff!

Does your head ache? Are your shoulder muscles tensed? Have you already been sitting in the cinema for a good few hours? It is now time to repair the damages: have an exercise break. Do the exercises, even if your shoulder muscles still feel supple. If you just keep sitting on your seat, in a couple of hours your muscles will definitely be tensed up.

"It is static muscular tension," physiotherapist Miia Kaastinen, explains. "When you sit still in one place for a long time, internal pressure in the muscles increases and circulation decreases. Oxygen and nutrients do not get in the tissues, and this causes tiredness, aching and numbness."

Besides aching shoulders, a true film fanatic may suffer from aching lower back, bottom, and knees.

"Numbness can be prevented and treated with a bit of exercising. There is no need to wait until symptoms appear. To balance the muscle tension, you should do quick, pumping movements that improve the circulation," advises Kaastinen.

Therefore, it is wise to do some exercises while watching the films, and take a little walk when possible.

Exercising tips for true film fanatics

When sitting on your seat, do these exercises every half an hour, each exercise should be repeated 5-10 times.

1. Slowly turn your head from side to side, also bow your head a bit and then slowly turn from side to side.



 

2. Raise your shoulders to your ears, hold the clench for a little while, and then relax.

3. Roll your shoulders both backwards and forwards.



 

4. Push your lower back forwards and backwards: bend and curve your lower back.

5. Tense up your buttocks, then relax. Do quick, pumping movements.

6. Lift your knees up in turns.



 

7. If possible, straighten out your legs in turns.

8. Roll, extend, and flex your ankles.

9. Relax your jaw: grin at your exercising neighbour…