Day 545 - Perils of a standing desk - https://golifelog.com/posts/perils-of-a-standing-desk-1656463476380
I did it again.
Overstrained my Achilles tendon by standing on one foot for too long while working at my standing desk.
Made worse because I'm usually barefoot so there's no cushion to reduce repetitive stress on the ankle. Made even worser because when I work I get into disembodied, focused mode and become less aware of any sensations in the body. The worst of all: I think standing is 'healthy' or at least healthier than sitting.
Fatal combination of work-from-home practices and mindsets.
What can I do then?
- First, heal. Rest. No exercise. Ice the swollen tendon. Use painkiller patches in interim. Go to traditional Chinese medicine doctor for resetting if it gets worse.
- Add a foot cushion. There's many anti-fatigue foot mats for standing desks to explore for future use, but in the meantime I'll make do with a cheap yoga mat cut up to the width of a foot mat, overlaid with an actual foot mat.
- Wear bedroom slippers for additional cushion for now.
- Move more. Don't just sit or stand. Work 30min, get up, move about, get a glass of water. Not great for deep work, but good for health.
- Future prevention:
• Exercise more. Walk more. I already do heel raises but can do more through the day
• No more standing on one foot to work! Set alarms? Pomodoro timers?
• Get better, anti-fatigue, ergonomic foot mats - these ones from [Fully looks promising!](https://www.fully.com/accessories/standing-desk-mats.html)
What else can I do/get?
Overstrained my Achilles tendon by standing on one foot for too long while working at my standing desk.
Made worse because I'm usually barefoot so there's no cushion to reduce repetitive stress on the ankle. Made even worser because when I work I get into disembodied, focused mode and become less aware of any sensations in the body. The worst of all: I think standing is 'healthy' or at least healthier than sitting.
Fatal combination of work-from-home practices and mindsets.
What can I do then?
- First, heal. Rest. No exercise. Ice the swollen tendon. Use painkiller patches in interim. Go to traditional Chinese medicine doctor for resetting if it gets worse.
- Add a foot cushion. There's many anti-fatigue foot mats for standing desks to explore for future use, but in the meantime I'll make do with a cheap yoga mat cut up to the width of a foot mat, overlaid with an actual foot mat.
- Wear bedroom slippers for additional cushion for now.
- Move more. Don't just sit or stand. Work 30min, get up, move about, get a glass of water. Not great for deep work, but good for health.
- Future prevention:
• Exercise more. Walk more. I already do heel raises but can do more through the day
• No more standing on one foot to work! Set alarms? Pomodoro timers?
• Get better, anti-fatigue, ergonomic foot mats - these ones from [Fully looks promising!](https://www.fully.com/accessories/standing-desk-mats.html)
What else can I do/get?
Jason Leow
Author
And you got many years leg training in F&B haha. I realised working from home through covid the past 2 years had shrank my fitness and muscles. That's why even standing desk get injured! I should try a good pair of home slippers - what brand/model do you use?
Scholl from Mustafa 😄 I think you just have to try them out and as long as your arch feels supported, should be good to go!
i wear home slippers with good arch support. the anti-fatigue mat gets good reviews, although i don't feel i need one because my slippers do a good job
Jason Leow
Author
Thanks Carl! Will go Mustafa to find! A good pair of bedroom slippers sounds more cost effective and practical than an ergo mat
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