All routines

Tech Neck and Shoulder Reset From Screens

A quick reset for neck, chest, and upper-back stiffness from screens. Keep stretches gentle and avoid pulling hard on the head or neck.

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Before you start

Move gently and stop if you feel sharp pain, dizziness, numbness, or symptoms that feel unsafe. This routine is general fitness guidance, not medical care.

Exercises

1. Chin Tuck

2 sets · 8 reps · 10s rest

Sit tall and glide the head straight back as if making a double chin. Keep eyes level and avoid looking down.

Steps

  • Sit or stand tall.
  • Keep your eyes level.
  • Glide your head straight back.
  • Make a gentle double-chin shape.
  • Pause, then relax.

Cues

  • Head slides back.
  • Eyes stay level.
  • Neck stays long.

Common mistakes

  • Looking down.
  • Jamming the chin hard.
  • Shrugging the shoulders.

2. Levator Scapulae Stretch

1 set · 30s hold · 10s rest · both sides

Turn the nose toward one armpit and gently nod down until the back corner of the neck stretches. Keep the opposite shoulder heavy.

Steps

  • Sit tall with shoulders relaxed.
  • Turn your nose toward one armpit.
  • Gently nod down.
  • Keep the opposite shoulder heavy.
  • Hold, then switch sides.

Cues

  • Gentle neck stretch.
  • Shoulder stays heavy.
  • No pulling hard.

Common mistakes

  • Yanking on the head.
  • Letting the shoulder rise.
  • Stretching into nerve-like symptoms.

3. Doorway Chest Stretch

1 set · 35s hold · 10s rest · both sides

Place forearm on a doorway and step through until the front of the chest opens. Keep ribs down and do not push into shoulder pain.

Steps

  • Place one forearm on a doorway.
  • Set the elbow near shoulder height.
  • Step the same-side foot forward.
  • Turn gently away until the chest opens.
  • Hold without shoulder pain.

Cues

  • Chest opens.
  • Ribs stay down.
  • Shoulder comfortable.

Common mistakes

  • Pushing into shoulder pain.
  • Flaring the ribs.
  • Leaning too aggressively.

4. Wall Angels

2 sets · 8 reps · 15s rest

Stand against a wall and slide arms up and down like a snow angel. Keep the motion smooth and only use the range you can control.

Steps

  • Stand with your back near a wall.
  • Bring arms to a goalpost shape.
  • Slide arms upward as far as controlled.
  • Slide arms back down slowly.
  • Keep ribs from flaring.

Cues

  • Smooth slides.
  • Ribs quiet.
  • Use controlled range.

Common mistakes

  • Forcing hands to the wall.
  • Arching the lower back.
  • Shrugging during the slide.

5. Scapular Squeeze

2 sets · 10 reps · 2s hold · 10s rest

Pull shoulder blades gently back and down, then relax. Think wide collarbones, not shrugged shoulders.

Steps

  • Sit or stand tall.
  • Let arms rest by your sides.
  • Draw shoulder blades gently back and down.
  • Pause without shrugging.
  • Relax fully.

Cues

  • Wide collarbones.
  • Shoulders down.
  • Gentle squeeze.

Common mistakes

  • Squeezing too hard.
  • Shrugging upward.
  • Arching the ribs forward.

6. Desk Lat Stretch

2 sets · 25s hold · 10s rest

Place hands on a desk, step back, and send hips away until the sides of the upper back stretch. Breathe slowly.

Steps

  • Place both hands on a desk.
  • Step back until arms are long.
  • Send hips away from your hands.
  • Let the chest soften toward the floor.
  • Breathe into the sides of your back.

Cues

  • Hips move back.
  • Arms stay long.
  • Breathe into ribs.

Common mistakes

  • Locking the knees hard.
  • Dropping into shoulder pain.
  • Holding the breath.