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Kim Van Haren (Class of 2010)
Kim Van Haren sits down on the job
Working as a writer often means sitting motionless in front of a computer screen for most of the day. Except for typing, the rest of your body remains stagnant, sedentary. This lack of activity can have repercussions. I speak from experience.
At alive magazine, within the first week of my internship, my body went on strike. Apparently, being motionless wasn't its thing. A knotted lower back, hunched shoulders, and jellyfish legs threatened me daily. My few remaining muscles demanded to know what they had done to deserve what I was putting them through, or rather not putting them through. Don't get me wrong, my internship was exactly what I wanted. I gained valuable experience in writing and editing, and digested everything magazine-related. Problem was, my chair and I were becoming one. At alive, I stared at my screen, while writing or editing, for hours at a time. I eventually realized that I needed to stretch or stand and proceeded to do just that. Unfortunately there was a problem. My body had seized up and it took all my strength to stand up again. Stooped over, I'd shuffle out of my chair, grab the side of my desk, lean into it, and attempt to pull myself up straight. Trying to appear professional, I kept my grunts and groans to a minimum. But how I wanted to scream out: "Standing up hurts! All this sitting can't be good for us!" I looked to my editorial compadres for support, but they too were focused on their own screens, no standing in sight. A co-worker had once suggested incorporating some stretches into our day to help limber us up, keep us alert and spry. Unfortunately, we never even touched our toes. Every afternoon throughout the summer we did try to go for 30-minute walks outside and this really did help. But saving all of our movement for one period of the day wasn't enough for me. Nancy Sinatra's boots stomped all over an ex-love in her song "These Boots Are Made for Walking." By midsummer, mine were travelling steadily on wall-to-wall carpet. I walked to the staff kitchen to get a coffee, walked downstairs to see what snacks the deli counter was offering, walked over to a co-worker's desk instead of emailing her, and even walked to the restroom if only to wash my hands. I have learned that moving your body is important and necessary. In an office position many years ago, I briefly worked at a desk tall enough so that I could stand and type -- there was no chair. I felt more alert while working and naturally incorporated various stretches to stay limber. Some companies choose slow-moving treadmills for their employees; staffers walk while they work. I'll keep it simple and get up and move more often. That's all for now. It' s time for my boots and me to make our rounds.
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Posted April 2010
