Standing at computer all day: better than sitting all day?

[laohaire]

I work on the computer. I've read the recommendations to get up at least every hour, and I've resolved to do it and it never lasts. Hauling my butt out of the chair is apparently more effort than I'm willing to expend when I'm comfortably in there.

But my knees ache and I get these feelings in my legs that make me think blood clot which I know is no joke at all. So 2 days ago I snapped and got my husband to raise the monitor to the top shelf, and I put a box on my desk to raise my keyboard and mouse. So I am standing here in front of you all, typing.

Yesterday I had a meeting for most of the day so I didn't spend the whole day like this.

Today is the first full day I'm giving it a shot. I got a couple of mats a while ago so I'm standing on a fairly cushioned surface. When I stand on a hard floor for a long time, doing dishes or really heavy duty cooking, my back aches. My back is ok right now but it's giving me little twinges. But on the other hand, my knees feel fine.

I also feel more motivated to walk around when I'm between tasks, or when I'm thinking about something. It's easier to walk around when you're already standing than to haul yourself out of a chair you've been sitting in all day.

So, what do you think, am I better off? Or have I traded blood clot for back problems:

[Viola]

I use a laptop, and move around a fair amount. During the day I like to sit at the kitchen table if I am doing various work things. Sometimes I like to move my computer to the back of the couch and stand there, sometimes I sit in a recliner and then start to feel really sluggish. It's harder to get up from there, but sometimes I'll take a break and run up and down the stairs. If I try standing all day to use the computer, I usually give up on it after awhile and sit back down at the kitchen table.

I think if you move around a lot, shifting weight from foot to foot, you should be OK. I actually prefer standing to sitting a lot of the time, but I can't stand in one place for too long, I have to keep moving, rocking back and forth and such. I have back issues so that is probably part of it.

[lil_miss_understood]

I would consider getting a step stool to alternate raising your feet on. This may relieve some of the pressure on your back as well as your knees.