Sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day is not very good for your health. In particular, it’s bad for your spine.
For years I used to suffer from back pain. Just too many hours sitting in front of a keyboard.
I tried a few things. Not pills, because I avoid those like the plague. But I went to a chiropractor, I tried scheduling times during the day when I would get up and do some walking around and stretching, and I even tried setting up my computer so I could work standing up.
There was nothing wrong with any of those approaches, but the solution that really worked for me was to throw away my regular chair and use a kneeling chair instead. Not every office supply store carries them, but some do. Failing that, you can find one online.
To go a step further, watch the video below. It contains some interesting information and some tips on strengthening your lower back.
Why am I even writing about this?
Because as a freelancer you are your only employee. Your financial success depends on your own health and ability to sit down and work, unhindered by illness or pain.
In other words, to achieve your goals as a freelancer, you need to pay attention to your health.
This is a big topic, and maybe I’ll write again about health issues for freelancers. But for now, you can take the simple step of taking care of your body when you sit down to work.
If you don’t, your work will suffer. You can’t work at your best when you are feeling uncomfortable or in pain.
Related Resources:
My coaching service for freelancers…
My ebook – Affirmations for Freelancers
About the author: Nick Usborne is an online writer, copywriter, author and coach. Read more…
Hi Nick,
Love the TED Talks in general but this was certainly a perfect pick…and a good one for writers to heed.
This is great Nick! Thanks for sharing your story & this video. I’ve been trying to do a little more exercise these days as we get further into winter, since I tend to hibernate a lot more during the colder months. AND, I know I’ve already got bad posture, so this quick exercise will help keep me stretched & “open”.
I have to comment here. I was suffering from EXTREME back pain, muscle spasms, and a general deterioration in my own personal health after years of working at a desk. It was like there was no going back and writing was quite literally killing me. I know there are a lot of young writers who wlll not take this seriously but sitting can murder your health over the years.
Thankfully, I smartened up and started a daily routine of deadlifting and pushups that has brought my body back to health. I am now stronger and healthier than I have been in years but I wish I had taken a post like your post more seriously before it got as bad as it did.
I really wish more people would take their health more seriously. It’s too late to worry about it when it’s gone but it is never to late to make improvements.
I’ll be sharing this with everybody I can.