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Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

nytimes.com

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Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#151

Post by amoorthy »

projectramo wrote: post #60

I think I see the problem here (with the comments). The main problem is that in order to claim something is "overrated", you have to have some idea of the "rating." So perhaps most of the other commenters were enlightened and knew exactly what the benefits were. Not me. Like (perhaps) the author, I thought sitting is really, really bad for you: for your heart, for your long term mobility, for your health. And that st…

Ask and ye shall receive. Article has a 77 OwlFactor rating: https://news.owlfactor.com/article/0-4279868/4279868-Why%20S... :)

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#152

Post by asdff »

aj_g wrote: post #16
bpicolo wrote: post #3

Best strategy is just drinking enough that you need to hit the restroom with reasonable frequency. You stay hydrated and get well-timed walking/headspace breaks. Win-win.

This is my strategy as well. Keep a Nalgene topped up with water and pee like 10 times a day. Coworkers might raise an eyebrow, but who cares. It works great because of the power of habit--it's easy to sip a little bit of water every few minutes, and then of course you're forced to get up and move around/pee when the urge is strong enough.

I used to do this but meetings became unbearable with the urge to pee striking every hour.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#153

Post by asdff »

PascLeRasc wrote: post #78
snarf21 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is why I only drink my water out of a coffee cup. You don't have to worry about flushing all electrolytes and you also get up more frequently to refill your water in the first place.

For some reason I can't drink cold liquids out of an opaque cup. It feels really weird to me to drink water or juice out of a mug, it needs to be in a glass or clear water bottle.

Are you my cat?

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#154

Post by vemv »

asdff wrote: post #150
vemv wrote: post #120

At work, I hate sitting (despite owning a couple very specific chairs that I'm actually comfortably in) and I also hate standing. Both seem to keep my body/mind tense - which is at odds with the deep focusing/relaxation I need for working on creative solutions for long stretches of time. Very recently I discovered the wonders of beanbags, reclinable armchairs, and so on. I might even try a hammock one day. All these…

How do you deal with sleeping? Every time I sit somewhere with my head supported, I begin to drift off. Doesn't matter if I slept in, or if I've had two cups of coffee. If my head is stabilized, it's over for me.

Ha ha, sounds like a good problem to have :)

Can't help sadly, generally computers will leave me well awake for at least a couple hours since the moment I'm done.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#155

Post by asdff »

narrowingorbits wrote: post #136
JshWright wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly, that's what I keep saying about my bear repellent rock I keep on my front porch. Haven't seen a single bear yet.

People whose reactions when confronted with something new, unknown, and unexpected are to laugh at it or respond sarcastically, instead of to accept the surprise, approach with curiosity and humility, and question if there is something they're not understanding, are unlikely to ever discover anything new. Everything that we call science today was once alternately laughable or mysterious.

Because science isn't about belief, its about reasoning. One person having a good response to something doesn't say anything about that something, that person, or that good response.

Only after things have been repeatedly tested, and alternative explanations thoroughly ruled out, can a claim be considered accurate. Everything was once alternately laughable or mysterious, until it was thoroughly proven to be true. There is a reason why we aren't letting your blood because you have a cold anymore.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#156

Post by asdff »

sebleon wrote: post #91
savanaly wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By that logic, I guess homeopathy is also perfectly proven as effective?

Yes, if someone has a home remedy that gets great results, why switch to a substance from someone in a lab coat?

One person randomly having a favorable outcome doesn't tell you if a result is great, let alone even exists.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#157

Post by dugdun »

tuukkah wrote: post #104
nimbius wrote: post #99

Coming from a blue collar job (I work as an engine repair mechanic) ive never understood standing desks. most of the articles are right up there with either crystal chakra magic or "our ancesters were healthier!" crap. I stand 6-8 hours a day. so do most of my coworkers. Simple observation of a chubby mechanic or a fat construction worker will tell you that the "standing desks are healthier" line is complete bullshit…

Umm, sitting kills. The idea is that a standing desk can let you live longer whatever your body formation.

I don't think that it's sitting that kills. I think it's more the fact that you are less active. You can have the same problem standing all day without moving around.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#158

Post by madmax108 »

I do not see why it has to ever be an all or nothing when it comes to desks. At work, we have adjustable desks, which can electronically be adjusted to sitting or standing positions.

I alternate between sitting and standing every hour or so, combined with small walks around office between shifting positions (say to the cafeteria or washroom or the game room). When I get off my desk, I make it a point to focus on some point far away to ensure my eyes get a break from simply staring at a screen 2 feet away from me.

Combining this along with ensuring I consume enough water through the course of the day (in AC environments, a very common cause of headaches/neckaches is simply dehydration) means I can ensure that I get to operate productively through the day.

Don't see why people get so paranoid about having to be in a single position for 8 hours a day. The human body simply ain't made for that!

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#159

Post by asdff »

narag wrote: post #124
netcan wrote: post #68

You know what the problem with problems is? I'll tell you the problem with problems... :) Imagine Jules. Jules likes to put her laptop on the counter and work standing for an hour after lunch, while having her coffee. ...helps her digestion, or neck or something.. Personally, I like standing and/or walking while working too. I think better, it feels like. I like walking meetings, especially if we're going to be schem…

You are right about standing and so many other things. The problem :) with open offices thouhgh is that noise is not a like/dislike thing. You can't choose whether you can concentrate in a noisy envirnoment or not. And oh, you are not offered to choose between open office or not. Some guy decided it and imposed it to you.

You are the one signing to an open office job, after all.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#160

Post by asdff »

choot wrote: post #142
netcan wrote: post #68

You know what the problem with problems is? I'll tell you the problem with problems... :) Imagine Jules. Jules likes to put her laptop on the counter and work standing for an hour after lunch, while having her coffee. ...helps her digestion, or neck or something.. Personally, I like standing and/or walking while working too. I think better, it feels like. I like walking meetings, especially if we're going to be schem…

I like laying in bed with comfy blanket and air-conditioner with temperature set to simulate Swiss winter while working. I've no desire to sit or stand. Dell XPS running Debian works fine in this environment. Unfortunately, office can't provide me this. So i am working remotely now. My brain is lot less efficient in other environment probably because I've high amount of North European genetic material and my brain is…

> maybe there is some evolutionary reason behind this.

This mechanism for which you speak is known as "placebo"

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