Ask Lemmy

Why are they wearing high heels for a posture infographic?

During COVID I switched from a sit-stand-walk around type job to WFH sitting for the full 8+ hours. I found myself spiraling into some real hip and lower back pain until I invested in some new home office furniture to enable more standing and moving around.

Cheapo walking treadmill was the best $125 Bezos bucks I spent during lockdown.

I have an electric standing desk (converts in seconds) and imo it's extremely overrated and doesn't actually do anything.

The science behind this is extremely unconvincing other than "standing is fun sometimes" which is great but you shouldnt force yourself if it doesn't work for you.

What actually works - raise your monitor, lower your keyboard, get a vertical mouse, get a ergonomic keyboard with a track point, get compression socks if you're older and do some yin yoga / stretching. These things actually work. Just listen to your body as you can feel the exact strain and discomfort if you actually pay attention to it.

Also posture is not harmed through idle poses, you don't want to keep your back straight at all times - that's stupid. Main enemy of posture and all muscles is strain and this is fixed by stretching and exercise not standing with a straight back.

Made a big difference honestly. Used to work in an office where I sat for 8hrs a day and my back/legs would go numb after awhile. Went all in on an ergo set up during COVID. Sit-stand desk, split keyboard, vertical mouse, etc. I figure if I use them more than 40 hrs a week and they prevent some form of RSI or back-pain, it's worth it.

Also, the other half of the equation is stretching, yoga, and walking. If I have to wait 5 min for something to run, I'll do a quick stretch while waiting.

You need to also use a standing mat to avoid your your feet/legs getting tired too quickly while you're standing. Get a good one, not some cheap knock-off.

Also, like already suggested: take as many walks as you can. Not just standing still. Walking will help you heart make the bllod flow better. Plus, it's great for the health in general, and for the head ;)

Change posture every 30 minutes? I'm unlikely to last 30 seconds! I'm too groovy for that

If you’re not sitting cross-legged on the work PC. You’re doing something wrong

12 hour desk job. Had Hermann Miller chairs in office but now at WFH I've only just started to upgrade my chairs. I'm active, I'm a runner...but I feel it. I always feel off following my several shifts. It takes a lot just to get back to baseline.

If I slack on my stretches I definitely notice the lower back especially.

I probably should get a desk treadmill...

There's an alternative missing in all these graphics: Feet not on the ground.

If your feet are on the ground for hours and hours your heart will be in trouble to pump the blood back up all the way. It's even worse with standing. So see to that your feet are not on the ground, rest your legs on some support under the table, sit cross legged (it's feasible even in office chairs) and take every pose that's not feet in the ground.

Your venes and your heart will thank you.

I switched to standing-only for my work desk about 12 years ago. The first 3 weeks were agony; my hips hurt so much. I stretched a lot, which helped some. Then suddenly it was easy, and ever since I can stand for hours, no problem.

A squishy mat is a must-have, and I also have a footrest to be able to change up my posture through the day.

anti fatigue mat

Crocs. Stupid-ass looking crocs will absolutely save you when at a standing desk. Or really, standing for a long time on any hard surface like a concrete office floor. The next best thing would be high-end business shoes designed for comfort while you deliver powerpoint all day, or just hiking boots. But crocs are really the most comfortable and are easy to slip off for more appropriate dress shoes if you're in an office.

Thicker and softer than any standing mat, they freaking deliver. And you can move around without having to be perfectly positioned in a small area. Also, there's no mat to get in the way of your chair when you sit down.

I switch between both a lot to mix up my day. Dont have lower back pain if I do. Also, do some core exercises.

Science behind this is fun. Apparently, standing for 8 hours straight is even worse than sitting for eight hours straight, but put a little walkpad under the standing desk and you're good to go, as long as you don't fall over or something.

I thought I really liked it at my old job. So when I moved I bought an electric adjustable desk. Turns out I just had a shitty chair at the old job. When I wfh, I have an Aeron, so I'm perfectly comfortable. I have only raised my desk a few times when I wanted to show something on screen to other people. Having the right ergonomics makes all the difference.

I'm an industrial mechanic so when I sit at work I'm either on my break or have nothing to do.

I have bad eyes and a love of computers/gaming, so I spent 30 years hunched over a keyboard squinting at the monitor. It fucked my back all the way up, I've had chronic back pain every day for ~20 years now. Fortunately nowadays I have a recliner and monitors/keyboard on arms so I can see while in a comfortable position. Take care of your back, kids.

I enjoy standing while in meetings, helps me think so it just made that easier. I used to stand 80% of the day now I find myself sitting 80% of the day.

I have a sit/stand desk and it's great. I feel like my posture has improved and being on my feet all day bothers me less. I really want to get a small treadmill so I can walk and work. That would be the dream.

I like having the option to sit or stand, myself, but I'm very active physically so the negative effects of sitting all day are largely muted.

Pilates for 20mins a week fixed my bad desk posture.

Sitting for so many hours daily was terrible for my back. Switched to a desk that raises and a walking treadmill under. Been doing that for over 10 years now. I will usually start the day walking (1.3 MPH is my sweet spot) stand for meetings ( since my treadmill is too noisy after all these yeara), and sit a bit towards the end of the day.

I don't understand why everybody seems to want motorized desks instead of stool-height office chairs.

I've got an ergonomic kneeling chair and it has so far been a lot better than an office chair at home for my posture.

My job is a combination of office and hands-on tasks. My desk is sit-stand but I never raise it. I get up and walk around when I need a break from sitting at my desk. Sometimes I walk a lap around the building. Sometimes I walk up the stairs, then down again. Me and my coworkers like doing squats as a greeting when we pass each other in the corridors. (Nobody shakes hands after the pandemic anyway)

It's great. Legit so good. Not only for the back but also productivity. It helps me concentrate better if I stand for like a hour in the morning and evening each.

For me it's a difference but I'd say it's minor as for as what I can truly tell. I'm more comfortable now that I can sit or stand when I want. Sometimes I'm restless so being able to stand and easily move while I work feels good.

I have never had a job where I spent the majority of my working time sitting. I really have nothing to compare it to.