This could be good for your health

35 replies
This could be good for your health. I know it's helped me a LOT.

In my little money making Internet endeavor (I never call it a business ) I get in the zone and can set for hours at the computer.

Setting for hours affected my health, I won't go into details, suffice it to say most of us know the problems that can be caused by setting for long periods of time.

I was determined to "take breaks," i.e. stand up and move around every 20 minutes or so, but as I said, when in the zone, time gets away from me.

My Solution. Divide my work station from one every thing within arm's reach to three different places in my home.

My pc in one room, printer in another, and smart phone, which I use as much as my pc in another place.

I now have to move around to get my work done. I feel much better and the spread out work station makes me more productive than ever.

How do you handle long work periods?

George Wright
#good #health
  • Profile picture of the author colmodwyer
    Hi George,

    I had an adjustable desk for about 6 months... so I could sit or stand at my workstation. Unfortunately I moved offices and no longer have one.

    Been a handful of studies recently about how sitting for long hours at a time can significantly reduce your life expectancy. Not sure how scientific those studies are, but it makes sense. Minimally you're likely not doing your back any favors.

    So I might put in a request for an adjustable desk again. And get one for home. Little more expensive. But an extra few hundred bucks is a minuscule investment if it improves your health.

    Cheers,
    Colm
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    • Profile picture of the author nik0
      Banned
      Got the same problem in combination with smoking.

      Decided to move my cigarettes to the other side of the room, works well, for a while till I get tired of standing up each time
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      • Profile picture of the author Luke Dennison
        Originally Posted by nik0 View Post

        Got the same problem in combination with smoking.

        Decided to move my cigarettes to the other side of the room, works well, for a while till I get tired of standing up each time
        Dude same with me. Im trying to quit at the moment but I always smoke when working so much its just absent minded. Also because I get big urges to smoke after coffee I have had to cut down on coffee as well.

        Now I leave my ciggs downstairs and leave an eCig on my desk. Ecigs make me not have a ciggarette about 70% of the time, do I'm hoping to have flly quit in a week or so!
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        • Profile picture of the author Dani78
          Great advice,

          me too I can't stand being in one place
          for too long.
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        • Profile picture of the author nik0
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Luke Dennison View Post

          Dude same with me. Im trying to quit at the moment but I always smoke when working so much its just absent minded. Also because I get big urges to smoke after coffee I have had to cut down on coffee as well.

          Now I leave my ciggs downstairs and leave an eCig on my desk. Ecigs make me not have a ciggarette about 70% of the time, do I'm hoping to have flly quit in a week or so!
          eCig, perhaps not a bad idea as I really feel like I will die some day from smoking 2 packs a day.
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    stand up desk and treadmill, or work in much shorter periods and take multiple breaks by walking/jogging.
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  • Profile picture of the author lotsofsnow
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author George Wright
      Originally Posted by hpgoodboy View Post

      That is awesome.

      The best solution would actually be to go out and run or at least take a walk.
      Well, best based on my opinion. LOL
      Actually you are totally correct. I got away from that a bit and have started up again.

      George Wright
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Tandan
    Hey George - for different reasons, I ALWAYS leave my phone (muted) in a room far from where I'm working. For the purpose of focus. So I don't get distracted by email, texts and calls when there's work to be done.

    I too can get 'in the zone' and sit for long hours at the computer. So instead of a chair I use one of those inflatable exercise balls. Keeps the circulation up and kind of fun and somewhat amusing at times when you lose your balance!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rappostion
    Very agree to what you said George, that's why I have my dumbbells reachable anytime of the day!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Everyone is different.

    I get up about every 20-30 minutes for about 3 minutes or so. I'll break up my day, mix it up with work, running errands, exercise, and meditation. All this keeps the blood flowing and keeps me focused and my energy level up.

    But I hear you about getting in the "zone". Just today I got into the writing zone and wrote straight for a little over an hour, then I realized it was time to get up and walk around. Hey, it happens.

    I have a bad back and cannot sit down for long periods of time. I also have a special table that allows me to work standing up while I'm working, love that thing.

    RoD
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  • Profile picture of the author Alice12345
    Take a break between the work. Stand up and walk a lot. Just leave everything behind for break.

    But I think I am going to buy the table which allow me to work by standing. Sound awesome!
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  • Profile picture of the author clever7
    I have no problem at all. I always was a writer. I used to sit down and write for hours before computers existed.










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  • Profile picture of the author barbling
    Originally Posted by George Wright View Post

    This could be good for your health. I know it's helped me a LOT.

    In my little money making Internet endeavor (I never call it a business ) I get in the zone and can set for hours at the computer.

    Setting for hours affected my health, I won't go into details, suffice it to say most of us know the problems that can be caused by setting for long periods of time.

    I was determined to "take breaks," i.e. stand up and move around every 20 minutes or so, but as I said, when in the zone, time gets away from me.

    My Solution. Divide my work station from one every thing within arm's reach to three different places in my home.

    My pc in one room, printer in another, and smart phone, which I use as much as my pc in another place.

    I now have to move around to get my work done. I feel much better and the spread out work station makes me more productive than ever.

    How do you handle long work periods?

    George Wright
    Excellent and many kudos to you for getting up and *moving*.

    I use a cane these days, and often hobble laps in my basement. When I pass a chair, I'll sit down/stand up 10 times as well. I also will play 3-5 minute videos on my computer and do what sorts of exercise I can.

    Every little bit counts.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamescanz
    Originally Posted by George Wright View Post

    How do you handle long work periods?
    Before coming into the wonderful world of making money online...

    I used to be a hardcore fitness freak, so pumping iron was always my go to activity.

    At the time, I still incorporate lifting into my schedule, as well as going for runs...

    The weather here in Florida is on a completely different level than where I used to live in CT, so it's enjoyable.

    Besides that, I take breaks every 1-2 hours either to eat, do some ab work, pushups, dips, and stretches for my lower back.

    It all helps out
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  • Profile picture of the author colmodwyer
    Gene Schwartz stopwatch secret comes to mind here too...

    For those of you unfamiliar, Gene Schwartz was one of the all time great copywriters (and marketers).

    His secret to staying focused and productive (and likely stay healthy!) was to work in 33 minute blasts. So he'd have a stopwatch by his typewriter, set to countdown from 33 minutes, and when it went off he took a break. EVEN if he was right in the middle of writing the world's greatest headline.

    And Dan Brown (author of the Da Vinci Code) takes a break every hour to do push-ups and sit-ups too.

    So I think it's important to get disciplined and stick to something, even if you're in the zone. It's a lot easier to get back into the zone than cure a crooked back or carpal tunnel syndrome.

    I'm extremely guilty of working non-stop at a desk. But this thread is getting me excited about breaking that nasty habit.

    Colm
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  • Profile picture of the author mrgoe
    This thread wasn`t even here when I`ve started to have problems. I`ve started doing pushups between breaks and started to go to the gym three times a week also. You can`t even imagine what 1 hour at the gym can do for you. You have time to set everything on the direction inside your head
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  • Profile picture of the author dapaleezy
    I have also been sitting in one place. Luckily for me my wife keeps me moving 20 30 minutes a day since we had our son. At the end of the day just be active you would feel so much better i know i do.
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  • Profile picture of the author tomako
    I have an elliptical bike in an other room which I haven't used for months, this post reminds me to take it to the near side of my desk, thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Katie Rich
    It's far too easy to get focused and lose track of time then find you have been sitting in one place for hours. NOT good for the health.

    I recently had a deep vein thrombosis which lead to Pulmonary embolism, I had no idea, I just thought I had a pulled muscle, not that I had a condition that can kill. I take rat poison (warfarin) now, which helps, but the one point that was made over and over by the doctor was EXERCISE!

    I don't do much but I do make sure I take breaks for housework, a short walk each day or even just a stroll into the garden. I know I've gotten lazy over the years, but that did wake me up some and get me moving!
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    • Profile picture of the author RockStar87
      I just take a break for at least 20 minutes so that I can relax and stay focused.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Cool! I take short, frequent breaks to stay refreshed. I also exercise quite a bit; 60 to 120 minutes daily....helps me
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  • Profile picture of the author w13
    Thanks to start this thread.. This thread give me some idea to care of my self.. Actually, before i read this thread.. i'm used to work 12 hours non stop.. but it seems less productive and make my body getting weak :'(..

    Now i have understood that we have to keep balance
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    • Profile picture of the author TJoseph
      Sitting behind your desk for hours on end certainly isn't healthy and should be minimized greatly especially if you have back problems.

      Now I'm no fitness guru but here's a quick 'workout' that I do every 1 1/2-2 hours I spend behind the desk. It's also helped loosen me up greatly and sets my mind right so I don't miss a workout day when I'm working.

      Wall sit with hands above my head- hold for 30 sec
      Bodyweight squats with arms stretched out- 20reps
      Bodyweight lunges- 10 each leg
      Jumping jacks-30
      Plank- 30sec

      Rest 20sec,repeat x2

      After that 30 sec of hamstring and glute stretches plus 20 reps of shoulder rollouts.

      This short workout will hit all of your muscle groups and give you that much needed boost to get back to work.

      It's also my pre-workout warmup and it beats the coffee anyday
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  • Profile picture of the author Ctscott860
    I need at least a 20-30 min break every 2-3 hours when making campaigns etc...
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    • Profile picture of the author ItsMikeyC
      Education + exercise. I try to get in either 30 min jogging with a podcast or audiobook, or 30 min at the gym on a cross trainer with some sort of training video on my iPad.

      Also get out of the house or office to work. Take your laptop to a park or coffee shop and get some sun!

      Stay healthy folks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
    We are NOT made to sit. At all.

    The blood quickly pools in your big arteries and your heart takes a beating (literally?) Not to mention... your body isn't getting nourished (because blood is what moves or circulates nutrition to every part of your body. If circulation is massively impeded, which is what happens when you sit, then your body goes into Sympathetic mode. People like me, and other awesome Warriors here - who sit at the computer for a living - pay the supreme price.)

    Quick tips...

    Get a yoga band, lie down on your back, wrap the band around the ball of your foot... and with a straight leg... pull the band towards your head. Then move your leg down to each side. This helps release the congestion in your veins and arteries.

    Get a mini-trampoline (or rebounder.) Jump with your knees to your belly button for 20-30 minutes a day.

    Go on a bike ride.

    Do a sun salutation. Or 30 of them.

    Stand up when you work more than you sit.

    Only work for 2-3 hours at a time. Max.

    Get in a sauna at least twice a week. (Gotta move the lymph fluid too, which you have more of than blood.)

    Breathe. Deeply. Consciously. A lot.

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author greenowl123
    I was concerned about sitting all day too.... and my lower back was hurting from sitting all day.

    What I did : Cleared off the top of my dresser (which is almost at my eye-level) and put my PC on top of it. Now I stand upright all day and it feels much better. I can shift my weight to 1 leg then another, bend and arch my back when I want, do half-squats or 1/4 squats while I type, etc.

    I also walk around every 2 hours or so, going to the kitchen, bathroom, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author cjsewell
    What I do is take a break every 45 minutes for 15 minutes.

    No matter what I'm doing, I stop after 45 mins. I get up, stretch, grab a healthy snack, look outside the window, kiss my girlfriend, etc.

    You must get away from the PC a few times throughout the day.

    Uncle C. J.
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  • Profile picture of the author SusanHaueter
    Hey George,
    Thanks for sharing this post. It is real very effective regarding long time setting job. It is very hard to work in sitting position continuously. So your idea is very effective.
    Susan
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  • Profile picture of the author DrewIM
    I've been looking into this as an easy solution to get a standing workstation:

    VARIDESK Height-Adjustable Standing Desks

    A little pricey but seems worth it compared to the health issues cause by sitting.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Originally Posted by George Wright View Post

    How do you handle long work periods?
    I do it a few ways:

    1) More advertising, less free marketing. I now work only 1 hour per day online. It's a copy and paste job for me now when it comes to free marketing - except for when i post on WarriorForum.

    2) Sex. That's all i got to say

    3) Food and drink every 30 minutes

    4) Dark shades
    on to limit eye sight fatigue from staring at laptop everyday

    5) More sex. I think you get the point.

    That's all really.
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  • Profile picture of the author BeckyF3506
    I wear my Fitbit every day to remind me to be more active, but I still find that I sit too much when I get really involved in what I'm doing.

    I like the idea of setting the laptop on a burea in order to stand and work.

    I need to find a similar idea to use myself.
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  • Profile picture of the author bennie07
    Some great ideas posted here... What I like to do is jump on my rebounder, it helps to energize me as well as get the kinks out.
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    • Profile picture of the author myfab
      Work without Play makes jack a dull boy
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  • Profile picture of the author annbose2
    because i have pain on my knees, i love to sit in one place and do my job. So i put my favourite music, put my earphone and off i go in front of my computer for hours. I am now an article writer, and i think my brains work more if i hear to music. Try it - might help you as well
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