Stand!

The greatest opening to a short-lived sitcom called ever!

The Home Office Hack for this week is inspired by the greatest opening to a short-lived sitcom called Get A Life, starring Chris Elliott.

Debating the greatest opening to a sitcom would certainly make for great water cooler fodder if you were working in an office. While working from home, Chris Elliot’s character—a 30-year-old paper boy living in his parents’ basement—might hit a little too close to home. Yet the REM song’s title stands as perhaps the number one piece of ergonomic advice you can follow when working from home:

Stand!

According to Jennifer Graham, a certified ergonomic assessment specialist and licensed physical therapist, standing at regular intervals during your work day can prevent numerous issues. Besides the obvious neck, back and spinal issues, living too sedentary a life can lead to:

• Excessive fatigue and general discomfort

• Repetitive use injuries—Tendonitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• High blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar

• Obesity

• Some cancers

• Depression and anxiety.

Said Jennifer, “I like to recommend the ratio suggested by Alan Hedge, Professor of Ergonomics at Cornell University: Sit for 20 minutes, Stand for eight minutes and walk/move for at least two minutes out of every 30 minutes”

Jennifer recommends setting a timer for 20 minutes to remind yourself to walk or move.

“You may find that you cannot break away at 20 minutes. That is ok! Take a stretch break. Stand for a call. However. if your timer goes off 3 or 4 times and you still have not moved from your static position, you need to change your habit of sitting for too long.  It is a habit. You can change it!”

That’s partly why My Home Office Hacks talks so much about using a Pomodoro Timer. Not only does it provide better focus for the 25 minutes you are working, but the short and long breaks between Pomodoros give you chance to stand and even fit in some exercise.

 Jennifer provides ergonomic assessments of home offices and for traditional workplaces. Those assessments can also be done virtually. That means she can evaluate your home office from her office.

“It is incredibly important to have equipment in your office that helps you maintain good posture and supports you when you are sitting. Ergonomic solutions for your office should include properly fit adjustable chairs, standing desks and ergonomic keyboards are valuable tools.”

If you’re interested an ergonomic assessment of your home space, you can contact Jennifer via e-mail or through her website.

Funniest quote of the week: 

“Americans are as unhappy as they have been since the Great Depression.” – Dr. Daniel Amen, author of the NY Times best seller You, Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type.

Not to make fun of Dr. Amen (love the name), but the quote did tickle my funny bone. In effect, it made me happier. I have no doubt that’s it’s true, though I can’t imagine folks were all that happy during WWII. Still, anything that’s geared towards bringing more smiles to folks, like My Home Office Hacks, can’t be all bad and is worth checking out. Here’s a link to You, Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type [affiliate link].

Until next week, get on your feet! In that spirit, please name a song with Stand in the title.