work | Dude Knows Best

Seriously, you should stand more.

The Dude has been dropping some healthy living knowledge recently. Although, now that I mention that, what qualifies me to drop health knowledge?

Nothing, really. Other than the fact I’ve been trying to develop a healthy lifestyle for myself for many moons. As I mentioned, I was a certified personal trainer, but that just means I passed a test; I never used it as an occupation. But I have been researching and developing my healthful approach to life for years.

So, bam. I just qualified myself. Maybe all the book knowledge from The Man just gets in health professionals’ way anyway.

But back to the subject of this post, from someone that has no qualifications to discuss this subject; standing. You should stand more.

I’ll preface this post by saying that this may seem a bit strange, but challenging the status qua is a good thing. Strange is a good thing. Embrace it.

I came across this “stand more” idea a while ago, and I committed to standing at my home computer about a year ago. I sit all day at work, so standing at home made complete sense after I dug into it a bit.

Although, I kept sitting at work. I guess I let the strangeness “stand in my way” – you like that play on words? 🙂

A couple weeks ago I started standing at work too. And I love it. I vary between sitting and standing, but that’s probably because I don’t have a standing desk to be comfortable at. Here’s what the Dude is rocking for his standing desk…

I’m standing more than sitting these days, and it’s super rad. My butt hurts if I sit for much time now.

But (bam, playing on words), don’t take my word for it. Check out all of this stand-up cheer-leading…

My favorite mobility dude giving a glowing expose on standing.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csJlN-k1F5I&feature=youtube_gdata[/youtube]

Mayo clinic dude – aka MD, PhD: The Extreme Dangers of Sitting.

Check out this quote: Americans spend more than half their waking hours sitting — primarily watching TV, driving and working at a desk.
I think it’s safe to say we didn’t evolve to where we are by sitting 50% of our waking hours. Primal anyone?

Kottke.org and TheWirecutter.com giving Stand-up desks some props.
Mashable’s blunt title for their high-five to standing: The More You Sit, The Sooner You’ll Die
ScienceDaily.com: Stand-up, You’re Life Could Depend on It.
Great post from Mark’s Daily Apple (eh hem, primal.) with 16 tips for deck jockeys.
Ernest Hemmingway at his stand-up desk – makes the Dude’s stand-up desk almost look good…almost.

Hemingway Standing Desk

Last, but not least, a great infographic about the “The Harm of Sitting Constantly” – love the deathly graphics 🙂 – aka “Sitting is Killing You.

Sitting is Killing You Infographic

You should stand more.

Occupational Hazards

“Does he smell?” As she holds his ass in the air.

And the Dude’s first reaction is to lean over for a sniff!? “Nope.”

Later the same day, as I dozed off on the couch for an afternoon siesta, Mrs. Dude asked if a sleeping Little Dude could lay with me. Of course the answer was yes. As she laid him on my chest, we realized the turd had definitely escaped.

But he’s sleeping. We knew we were safer if we let him sleep. So The Boy and his dirty diaper dozed with me for a half hour.

Occupational hazards I guess.

Make no mistake about it, parenting is an occupation. But an occupation unlike any other. I’m still new at this game; I’m sure Mr. Huxtable could drop some parenting knowledge on me, but from what I gather, there is a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifice.

Can you think of any other job you would volunteer to be on call 24/7 for zero pay (actually pay them to work…I think the average kid costs like a bazillion dollars these days.)? And sniff butts and nap with a dirty diaper? I think not.

Some jobs run the risk of carpal tunnel. Parenting runs the risk of no sleep and stank butts.

On the flip side, the obvious response is that the rewards of watching your kids grow up are priceless. No argument there.

But the effort involved is somewhat priceless too. It’s tough to find the same dedication a parent is willing offer.

Week 17 brought on a battle with the Hands, Foot, and Mouth virus. 7+ days of cranking.

Since Little Dude is already fighting through reflux, we didn’t realize the cranking could be HFM until some hives arrived. We confirmed it at the doctor the next day.

Reflux and HFM lead to a worn out Little Guy. He handled it all pretty well, but the true champion is Mrs. Dude. A worn out kid leads to a worn out parent…someone needs to pick up the slack.

Parenting in general is an occupation full of hazards, but an at-home mom is like pulling double-shifts every day…for years. No time off, no personal space, 100% attention on someone else’s well-being.

Thanks for all of the hard work Mrs. Dude. You’re an amazing Mom.

Dude Knows Best

Dude Abides

Tag Archives: work

You Should Stand More.

Week 17: Occupational Hazards