Word of caution for fellow freelancers - Limit the time you sit down!

EliteWriter Level 2

October 21, 2016, 8:39 am

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Word of caution for fellow freelancers - Limit the time you sit down!

As freelancers we spend a considerable amount of time sitting down in front of our computers typing and working. I tried to think about how many hours I spend sitting down every day and was shocked to realize that practically a third of my day, about 7-8hours are spent like this.

Now, after reading an article I am a bit astounded in realizing this, as it has been concluded from some studies that the more we sit down, the higher the risk for early death, as well problems like inactive muscles, obesity, diabetes, and an increased risk of heart diseases. It is a bit frightening! Maybe we should stand up more while working? What do you think?

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anwebservices

anwebservices

It's so true that seating can cause many problems in our body. I actually seat sometime over 12 hours, on occasions, but i used to go out at list twice a day for fast walk by the river, for at list 20 minutes each time, to stretch my legs, back and to avoid this risk. However, more activities is prefered and your advice is very welcome as reminder to all of us

8 years ago

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EliteWriter

EliteWriter

Your're most welcome

as I said, maybe this little reminder can help some of us get a bit more active, even if by a few minutes every day. It is still a bit of an improvement.

8 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

This is very true and i agree with anwebservices. Thanks for the friendly reminder that we are all killing ourselves while we work. People dont realize the harm sitting down all day does to your body. In fact like you said many health problems can come from this line of work. Arthritis, carpal tunnel, and more! They have a solution for this problem already invented. You can now buy desks online that allow you to raise the desk up so that you can stand instead of sit for some of the time your required to be in front of the computer. These desks will save your back and although they cost alot of money they are well worth it. You can also buy certain mice that will fit your and better. Many ways you can cut down on the health issues siting down causes. Thanks for sharing!

8 years ago

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hitmeasap

hitmeasap

It's terrible that our job or hobby are causing us this much problems. And this much serious and life threatening problems. I spend 12+ hours per day in my chair. Fortunately, I have a great chair. A gaming chair, so it's ergonomic and so on. But seriously though, I still spend like 11+ hours sitting in my chair and that ain't good. I obviously have some shorter breaks. I'm going to the toilet or whatever, but that's not enough. - The sad part is, that I can't actually take longer breaks or a day off whenever I feel like it, so I need to stand up while I'm working. At least, I have to stand up for a few minutes every now and then while I'm working.

8 years ago

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EliteWriter

EliteWriter

Considering all this investing in an ergonomic chair is important. Yet I believe that we need to make it a sort of habit to stand up regularly, go for a walk or a jog in between. This can also help us unwind a bit too. I am also trying to alternate between sitting and standing and exercising.

8 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Oh yes I have heard that a huge thing now is desks where you stand and work.I even saw yesterday on social media that they are starting to also implement this is in some schools to keep the kids more active. I think it is a wonderful idea.

I make sure to get up every hour and walk around a bit. So I incorporate some household chores in between my work times.

When I get home from dropping my kids at school I make some coffee and check my emails and plan for my day. Then I get up and water my plants and put some washing on.

Then I work a while and then go hang my washing up.

It helps me to keep active and it gives me a break away from my work where I can think a bit,in addition I manage to also run my household more effectively.

Bonus right?

8 years ago

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EliteWriter

EliteWriter

I strongly believe that kids need to be given more time outside, carrying out sports activities and anything that can get them moving around and about rather than sitting down at their desks. This is what is ultimately leading to obesity problems in kids; sitting at school, sitting at home doing homework, and then playing on a computer or playstation, or watching TV. It is all a vicious cycle.

8 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Yes I agree with you on that one. It is amazing how kids these days appear to be so much more sedentary than in our day.

I remember we were allowed one hour of the tv on as kids. And all three of us had to agree on what we would watch each day.

Then we were sent outside to play. Now days it seems kids are glued to TV's, game consoles, phones, ipads... you name it.

8 years ago

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Cristian

Cristian

I've noticed that a real trend has evolved in standing up desks for a lot of corporations. I have a friend that recently sent me a picture of him standing up at the desk while working, apparently the agency he is working on has decided to buy desks that have a height adapter.

I have to agree on all of this, I worked for 3 years as a field engineer and I usually walked more than 13 kilometers each day, I was highly active and in top form. Since I started working as an SEO my physical condition has decreased a lot, my leg muscles are gone and I feel pretty weak overall. Been trying to sit up every 45 minutes, I go for a glass of water and things like that, just enough to stretch out a little.
I also started working out at home but also bought a new bike.

8 years ago

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EliteWriter

EliteWriter

I really think that such desks could do a lot of benefit. I read an article where certain companies have a policy to encourage workers to carry out meetings and phone calls while standing up rather than sitting down. In such a way there is at least a considerable amount of time spent standing up.

8 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

I know of some freelancers who are online all their waking hours. That bad habit will kill you because no matter how you deny, stress is building up when you are online. My plan when I go full time in freelancing is to work a maximum of 8 hours in a day with a break every 2 hours. That break is to give mevtime to rejuvenate so my mind is refreshed.

7 years ago

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augusta

augusta

Yea, I have read about this and I have been trying to work against this.I try to fidget sometimes, stretching and bending back and forth sometimes, it never advisable to sit steadily in one place for a long period of time that is why I do a lot of exercising while even sitting.Thanks for the reminder because it will help me do more.

7 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

As a freelancer I take breaks every 2 hours and I would walk around and even drive to a new location and spend some hours there before continuing my work. I don't sit around for more than 4 hours because it gives me back aches.

6 years ago

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