Easy Hand Exercise for crocheters and knitters (OK everyone who owns a wool of yarn)

I get asked a lot about painful hands when crocheting and knitting, I am not an expert and would always recommend going to a doctor when in pain to see whats causing it, but I know there are lots of things you can do to help yourself
I do try to follow these suggestions as I have osteoarthritis but if something feels wrong to you stop, remember one of the main reasons for crocheters and knitters getting hand pain is over doing it, so
1. Pace yourself.
2. Sit correctly, putting a cushion in the lower back to give support if needed (OK you say pain in hands not back, but if you sit correctly it helps support your whole body i.e. hands connected to arms to shoulders to back)
3. Use a bamboo or wood hook/needle (I find wood better than bamboo, but very expensive so only buy the size needed for the project I am making), this may seem like an expensive but how many years will that hook/ needle last you and how many hours will you use it.
4.Take breaks and do a hand exercise every hour, get the blood flowing back to your fingers (there a quick exercise I do and have added below). Don't think just one more row.... there's always one more have a tea, coffee, water and stand up, even for 5 minutes.
5. Hand supports for arthritis, hand pain (like handeze support gloves) are good to use when crochet/ knitting but remember to take them off as they will weaken your hands if worn when when not needed.

Super Easy Hand exercise

Take a ball of yarn (can use the one you are working on) and squeeze tight for 10 seconds

Let go
Repeat 2 more times
Visit NezumiWorld Hand Exercise page for a count-along image