Item — HN Reader

I am going to share my experience, hopefully this will help someone: about 3 1/2 years ago, I went through a brief period of long hours at my desk (I had just previously had a hiking accident, dislocated shoulder, broke bones, and found that a period of long-hours and hard work took my mind off of recovering from shoulder surgery).

During this brief period I developed blood clots in one leg from sitting too long, and was really lucky to survive two large pulmonary embolisms. I often share this story as a warning to others. BTW, I average wilderness hiking for about ten hours a week (gentler walks when recovering from surgery) and that was not enough to prevent the blood clots.

Now, I use a 20 minute timer to get me up and walking around for a few minutes, 3 times an hour. Frequently standing and walking around is a recommended habit! Bad sitting habits almost killed me, and I needed over two years to mostly recover, so please take this seriously.

3 comments

My timer is set to a 10min break every hour. I think 3 times an hours is too frequent for me to concentrate on anything. Every time I get off from my computer it takes some time to regroup my thoughts and concentrate on my work and reach a state of "flow"

Good advice in general about mobility, but I think that your PEs were more likely to have been the result of an underlying clotting problem that you might have rather than solely from sitting too long.(also, thrombosis after surgery, injury is more likely)

I wish I have your discipline to take frequent breaks though.

My brother got a blood clot in his leg a few years ago at age 26. He was exceptionally fit, and did a lot of research into blood clots. At the time, it was considered a problem of old, overweight people, or those recovering from surgery. But they've become a lot more common in young people in the last few years, even occurring disproportionately in athletes. It's been nicknamed Economy Class Syndrome, since the cramped seating on planes is particularly conducive to clot formation.

I also recommend a timer. I use water for my timer - drink lots and keeps you going to the bathroom often. Unfortunately, this isn't good for solving hard problems that involve much concentration, but my back often needs a break.

I find using water works really well. Plus it can put you well over your recommended '8 glasses a day'. So its a double win.

I use Gnome built-in timer (see keyboard options). You can use WorkRave.org, or similar program (google for "RSI break program").

Xwrits is good, too.