Ask HN: Improving health despite working in a screen-based job

#1

Post by BlackVanilla » Thu, Sep 23, 2021, 10:43 AM UTC

The ideal would be to walk while working. This is simple if you're taking a phone call (although increasingly hard as people push for videoconferencing). Does anybody have good workflows for how they stay active (walking while working for instance)?

Re: Ask HN: Improving health despite working in a screen-based job

#2

Post by d3nj4l » Thu, Sep 23, 2021, 11:12 AM UTC

Get a standing desk. If you really want to walk while working, you can also put up a treadmill. Need to keep the computer stationary somehow.

Re: Ask HN: Improving health despite working in a screen-based job

#3

Post by aregsar » Thu, Sep 23, 2021, 1:50 PM UTC

For every 20 minutes in front of the screen, go for a 10 minute walk. This has the added benefit of keeping your eyes, back,shoulders,neck, wrists and most importantly your brain in a relaxed state while getting things done. The trick is to keep thinking about what your working on during your walks. It’s sort of like background processing. When you return to your screen afterwards you may have the problem you were working on already solved.

Re: Ask HN: Improving health despite working in a screen-based job

#4

Post by 5cott0 » Fri, Sep 24, 2021, 9:41 PM UTC

standing desk + balance board

Re: Ask HN: Improving health despite working in a screen-based job

#5

Post by fartcannon » Sat, Sep 25, 2021, 12:56 PM UTC

aregsar wrote: post #3

For every 20 minutes in front of the screen, go for a 10 minute walk. This has the added benefit of keeping your eyes, back,shoulders,neck, wrists and most importantly your brain in a relaxed state while getting things done. The trick is to keep thinking about what your working on during your walks. It’s sort of like background processing. When you return to your screen afterwards you may have the problem you were wo…

Certainly feel out your work environment before taking so many short breaks. It's unlikely most peoples cruddy bosses would be very accomodating.

Re: Ask HN: Improving health despite working in a screen-based job

#6

Post by adflux » Sat, Sep 25, 2021, 1:01 PM UTC

Standing desk, cardio in lunch break. I like to go running for 25 minutes. Quick snack, shower, back to desk. It's like starting the day again for me.

Re: Ask HN: Improving health despite working in a screen-based job

#7

Post by sailorganymede » Sat, Sep 25, 2021, 1:03 PM UTC

Every 30 minutes, I like to do 10 air squats

Re: Ask HN: Improving health despite working in a screen-based job

#8

Post by axiosgunnar » Sat, Sep 25, 2021, 1:05 PM UTC

Buy three 4k screens. hook them up side by side. use all of them. forces your head and body to turn.

buy a table that can ascend/descend from a sitting to standing position. vary sitting and standing randomly. combined with the large screens around you, there will be lots of movement while at your desk.

but still minimize time at desk by taking phone calls while walking, etc

Re: Ask HN: Improving health despite working in a screen-based job

#9

Post by jsjsbdkj » Sat, Sep 25, 2021, 1:05 PM UTC

I don't think trying to passively exercise while working is the right approach - I take 2-3 15 minute walking breaks a day, but I also do 30 minutes to an hour of cardio before or after work every day. I use a bike trainer and rowing machine, but this could also be running, HIIT, roller blading, whatever. IME getting your heartrate into the aerobic zone for 30 minutes a day is way more effective at maintaining fitness than having it slightly elevated all the time.

Re: Ask HN: Improving health despite working in a screen-based job

#10

Post by armchairhacker » Sat, Sep 25, 2021, 1:07 PM UTC

- Standing desk / treadmill desk / stationary bike

- Don't worry too much about getting in a lot of exercise during your work. Our bodies aren't designed to be very stationary but also not to constantly move

- But also make sure to do exercise outside of your work. Both cardio and heavy weights

- Good diet and sleep are also important