IMPORTANT NOTICE regarding deep vein thrombosis (DVT)!
Sadly, last weekend, a young man passed away due to a blood clot that had moved from his leg to his lungs. The blood clot was a direct result of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-14350216
Many SysOps and ITs spend far too much time seated (often in improperly configured chairs – see earlier posts about getting the right chair).
Mens sana in corpore sano wants to take this opportunity to remind you of the following:
- Sitting for longer than an hour can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. You need to get up and move around even if it’s just a brisk walk to the end of the office and back.
- If you have no choice and are going to be sitting for long stretches of time take a moment to move your legs, ankles and toes. If you have the room, stretch your legs out and try to stand up, and sit back down as often as possible. It is recommended that these exercises should be for a few minutes every hour.
- If possible, take off your shoes and massage your feet or have a massage roller or foot rest massage platform under your desk; even rolling an old style soda bottle back and forth with your foot can help.
- Stay well hydrated. If you’re going to be seated for a long period of time drink lots of water. Sip it. Make sure the water is cool not cold. NO alcoholic beverages, coffee or sodas. They’ll defeat the purpose.
- Remember nothing is worth destroying your health over.
These are nice pieces of advice. I am sitting all day long in a chair, and after 9 hours of sitting, my entire spine hurts, my muscles are in many little knots, and everything crackles when I get up. Fitness is a great relaxing way to let your body.