Mindful of our seated position for much of the day, this NYTimes article by Olivia Judson encourages you to stand: “Your chair is your enemy. It doesn’t matter if you go running every morning, or you’re a regular at the gym. If you spend most of the rest of the day sitting — in your car, your office chair, on your sofa at home — you are putting yourself at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, a variety of cancers and an early death.” – Click Participate to read the full article. Stand Up While You Read This!
8 Responses to “Take a Stand”
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[...] Half-Sun Salutation I posted this on The Mindfulist but I think it’s helpful, so I’m re-posting it here. It’s a [...]
3. March 2010 at 10:17 am
Though my job requires me to sit ALL DAY, I get the point – get active.
I’m going to go for a long walk through the city this afternoon after work.
3. March 2010 at 10:41 am
This is great. Although I go to the gym most days, and am an avid runner, I sit for 8-9 hours a day at my job. I think I have to push myself to be more mindful of my sitting throughout the day – not just to get up and take breaks – but to sit “actively.” This was a good reminder. Thanks.
PS – I also would note, that standing up all day can be a pain, too (literally) – especially if you’re standing still for 8 hours. I would never want to stand at a computer for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Imagine how your feet would feel! I’m sure even cavemen sat around for some period of the day.
3. March 2010 at 11:41 am
After I read this I finally changed my chair which I had been meaning to do for, uhhh, a year now. I’m much more comfortable now and in a healthier position. No slouching.
I also stood up! Wow! This what it’s like.
3. March 2010 at 10:59 pm
Hey, if only someone would write a guide explaining how to get out of this mess… OH WAIT, I DID! -Patrick
http://knowledgeworkerssurvivalguide.com/
4. March 2010 at 3:57 am
All the standing stuff is nice, if you are in good health. I have an chronic inflammation of my heels, so even standing for like 10 minutes is a torture. And with a profession that requires me to stand a lot (working with mentally challenged people), I am so glad if I can sit down at ease without sitting actively or something. I just need to rest at times.
4. March 2010 at 12:02 pm
Articles like this one freak me out because I’m only 35 and I’m already feeling the effects of too many hours in front of the computer. My back is a twisted mess. I work full time as a graphic designer and then often freelance at home evenings and weekends, so I’m constantly sitting. I need a new gig I think.
I bought Patrick’s guide a few weeks ago though and plan on changing things up a bit. It is a great guide btw.
4. March 2010 at 2:03 pm
My day job requires me to sit all day, and I notice a huge difference in my mood and energy levels when I actually comply with that. I find reasons to get up at least once an hour, take a walk for at least 20 mins out of my lunch break (luckily, I’m right by Central Park!), and sneak out to the bathroom to do mini-sun salutations about twice a day:
Be BAREFOOT or at least in flat shoes. I put a towel under my feet so they don’t have to touch the nasty floor. This instantly grounds me as I spend all day in heels.
Feet hips width apart; inhale and arch into a backbend, raising arms to the ceiling and gazing up.
Exhale into a forward fold, interlacing fingers behind the back.
Inhale halfway up with a flat back, maintaining fingers interlaced.
Exhale and fold more deeply.
Repeat three… This gives me a bit more energy and hopefully helps to fend off the sitting-itis!