Sit sit sit: Driving me crazy

[PeoniesAreMyFavouriteFlowers]

I will never be able to retire but the constant sitting every day for 8 hours a day is just doing my head in.

it feels so unnatural and makes me feel agitated.

I am 54 now and the last two years have really made me feel like I can’t do this for another 10+ years. No choice though.

Find a non office job or one you can WFH for so you can move around more?

Really not that easy.

Set a little alarm and get up and do some stretches or movement ?

Go out to walk round in your lunch hour ?

Is there any way you can build activity into your day so that the time sitting seems like a rest?

Set the clock earlier and go to the gym or pool before work.
Get off the bus two stops early and walk the last bit to work. Or ride your bike.
Get out for a walk at lunchtime and challenge yourself to walk a longer distance every day.

Fill your weekends with outdoors and activity.

What would be your dream scenario be? How close to that can you get?

I’m the same! It occurred to me the other day that I must be sitting or lying down for 90% of the day and that’s not healthy! I am getting a puppy in a few weeks so that might help me be “up” more at home but otherwise like you I’m not really sure what to do about it, maybe a standing desk?!

Sit stand desk?
Wankery bluetooth headset so you can finger shush people in the park during work calls?

My job is very sedentary but busy (in terms of lots of emails, Teams and spreadsheet work), so there is often little opportuinity to get up from my desk in the day, so I totally get you. Before I was quite so busy, I would make a real effort to fit in a quick walk (20-30 mins) before work and/or at lunchtime. I still try to do the lunchtime walk where I can, and I do a few exercise classes in the week. But it's tough. Sometimes even getting up for the loo seems like a nice break!!

Can you possibly get a stand up desk and a walking pad?

I try to walk for a few minutes every hour and then a longer walk at lunch time

I feel the same. I do try to exercise every day - but in a way it makes me realise how sedentary my job is. And when I’m feeling dramatic it’s like I will be sitting around for the rest of my life! The only thing I would say is a desk job is easier to age with. Maybe try to make the most of your non-desk time.

Depends on your job obviously but you could look into getting a height adjustable desk which you can work at standing up for period in the day. If you are self employed you could buy one yourself. If you are employed by a company, ask your employer about it in conjunction with occupational help. Some offices have lots of people with sit/stand desks that raise and lower.

Standing desk seems like a good option? Depends where you work I guess.

Well, I work for a charity and they’re not going to fork out for one of those stand up desks.

I walk between 3-10kms a day - walk to work and also with dogs after and before work.

I go to the gym three times a week. So I am pretty active.

At work, I just feel my shoulders rounding. My thigh muscles shortening. Our bodies were just not made to be in this position for hours on end.

Ah well. Perhaps AI will take my role and I will be scampering around looking for a new job! Then I will reminisce about earning money even though I was sitting the whole time!

Sometimes when my back's had enough of sitting I just put a couple of storage boxes on my desk and work standing for a bit, on top of those.

Sit on a gym ball rather than a chair, you don't need a fancy standing desk just a solid enough box to put on top of your desk so you can stand (on one leg, in a lunge, squat etc) to work.
if you have a laptop rather than PC stick it on the floor & sit/stretch on the floor.

Have you actually asked them?

if they refuse you could always buy one yourself if it’s that important to you.

Save up for one of these:

https://www.ergonomist.co.uk/products/ergonomist-standing-desk-for-desktops-large-screen-laptops?variant=48912837411120&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=23060279511&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23070369574&gbraid=0AAAAAqGUF1WYPmAbp5jO0rIAD7bdZdEgT&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-YvMBhDtARIsAHZuUzJ787IQtkHqzuP9G0iP02KpBh2mVN7aU34CqFMa7iIlLmzFfVOmpd4aAgu4EALw_wcB

So you are moving quite a lot, across the week.

It sounds like you need to learn to do some appropriate stretches.
Not too difficult to fit in 10 mins when you get up and then 10mins at lunch and 10 mins after work.

I tend to do stuff like that when waiting for the kettle to boil which, as I like my tea and coffee is quite a lot throughout each day