Ask HN: How can you work at a desk all day? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: How can you work at a desk all day?

3 pointsreedlaw4 comments

I get kinks and aches in various parts of my neck and back, painful blurred vision, headaches, and a general feeling of malaise when working more than a few hours a day on a computer. When I worked full-time I would often start the day early lifting weights at the YMCA. I would take brisk walks around the office for a few minutes several times a day. Plus breaks for bathroom and lunch. But even so it was hard on my body. Working from home I was able to walk on a treadmill while working. This was much better for my body but still hard on my eyes. I feel the only way to keep myself totally healthy is not to work full-time on computers. Unfortunately I don't know of any alternatives that pay as well.

Has anyone tried anything that works to keep their body healthy while working long hours? Maybe longer breaks for outdoor activity. But I really feel our bodies were not designed for this kind of work. Gardening is much more pleasant.

Just get very fit. Not the kind of fitness one gets doing 3 indoor cycling sessions per week. Signup for a half marathon in 12 weeks and follow a training plan.

I spend at least 10 hours/day on my desk but I do get a long lunch break of about 1.5 hrs every weekday. I try to nap but I'd say that the average is 2 naps/weekdays. I have zero pain and I do not use a fancy chair, what I do use is a big screen on top of a box which allows me to work with a vertical neck and zero effort to read code.

Now, I believe that my wellness and ability to stand this desk work for over 15 yrs is that I have a strong core and very good physical resistance. I am a parent now and do not train for competition anymore but many years I trained for MTB and trail running races. I still do 'maintenance' workouts 3-4 times/week, although short ones but with high intensity.

On weekdays, don't go home to spend another couple of hours in front of another screen. Eat well, sleep plenty (they say intellectual workers need more sleep).

Finally: DON'T work on weekends, at least one day off.

There is a lot of info out there. Maybe try to spend time researching each problem you have. Experiment.

I used to get migraines when using the computer early in the morning. The light from the screen seemed to pierce my eyes and slice right through my brain. I fixed that issue by wearing sunglasses but I haven't had that problem for years.

Maybe lighting and different screens / color schemes could help your eye issues. I can work on a computer all day with no problem to my eyes. But a black screen with white text really screws with me.

I will sometimes go out and work from up to a half dozen cafes / restaurants sometimes. That's expensive, but I consider that my office costs since I work remotely. I'll work at each location for an hour to an hour and a half sprint. I'll then walk to the next location. In a given day, I walk at least an hour. This gives my eyes more natural sunlight than I would get while cooped up in an office.

If you're working solo, then you don't necessarily need to be working full time. Work less hours and raise your rates. Maybe notch out time for certain types of work to be done with pen / paper and scan your notes. You could also spend more time meeting with clients and outsource / partner for some of your work.

I sometimes have issues with my wrists, but usually that's because I get into some sort of bad habit in placement / position. The soreness makes me realize the problem and adjust. The problem then goes away.

Ask 50 different people and you'll get 50 different opinions. Lots of different info out there. Just keep experimenting / researching to find something which works.

Of course, you could always go into something different, but nobody here can tell you what to do for a business to get into. That's also experimentation and exploration.

Either way you go. Experiment and explore.

My advice: get your eyes checked. Vision changes as we age. In my early thirties, my lifelong 20/20 was gone. These days, though not part of my prescription, I often use reading glasses for books.

It might help to move exercise to the middle of the day if possible. If your employee schedule precludes that and requires long hours, that may be a symptom that the problem is more structural in the employment context and less something under your control.

Good luck.

Sitting is the new Smoking. It's killing everyone.

The best thing you can do is get a good chair like a Aeron. You could try a standup desk if your employer will get you one. Try to stand while on the phone or at meetings (lean against a wall). Take breaks and stretch when you start to feel bad.

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