There are companies designing expensive desks with raised surfaces that not only allow one to work while standing, but even to use a treadmill. Last month there was an article in The New York Times on the perils of sitting: decreased body metabolism, rise in cholesterol, risk of developing diabetes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/business/stand-up-desks-gaining-favor-in-the-workplace.html
I don't know about all that. Maybe it's true. Maybe in three years, there will be another study done showing that sitting doesn't cause a rise in cholesterol. But, in the meantime, the ergonomic furniture people will have made a lovely bundle.
I'm trying to avoid sitting for too long because my back tells me I'll end up crippled if I don't provide some variety. A couple of years ago I devised my own inexpensive and shabby--but functional--version of a standing desk. Here it is: my ironing board, which I can raise and lower for that perfect elbow and keyboard alignment. There's room for laptop, pages, a mug. I can easily move it to the window or to the lamp. My back loves it. Me, I shuffle my feet sometimes. Sitting is still more comfortable. But, for this game, the back rules.
Lately, I've been standing so often that I'm considering getting a dedicated writing ironing board. Just the frame. Writing doesn't require heat-resistant padding. Not at the speed at which I write.
I love this. (But I can't imagine writing standing up.)
ReplyDeleteSaleema, I can't imagine it either. But my back isn't given me any choice.
DeleteI've been told (by chiropracter, physiotherapist) to get up and walk around every half hour or so -- even just a few steps will help. Works well when I'm looking for ways to procrastinate but when the writing is going well the aches feel like a small sacrifice. I have, however, started reading over my work and making small revisions while standing. Still, the sitting is a hard habit to break. I'm sure my writing brain is directly connected to my sitz-bones.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great word--sitz-bones!
ReplyDeleteI first heard it in yoga class. One is always being asked to align them. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been listening to the studies on this for a few years and it really worries me- I thought I was being so healthy- doing my exercise in the morning and then going to work where I sit all day, but apparently I'm less healthy than someone who doesn't exercise but also doesn't sit down all day. So I have this thing (which I am totally blanking on the name now) which shuts down my computer every half hour for three minutes so I am reminded to get up and walk around. I also try to do all my editing standing up...At the end of my work day my legs are always swollen to twice the size they were in the morning- this worries me.
ReplyDeleteI love the ironing board! What a good idea!
Me, too, Lina, I wonder about legs swelling. All those stories about people who stand for hours at their jobs and end up with varicose veins. But I don't really stand stock still. I shuffle back and forth. And of course I still sit. I mostly aim to vary my position as much as possible, given that writing is a static body act.
ReplyDelete