Benjamin Hyneck

March 9, 2021

Stuck behind the desk?

My home-office is also my bedroom. I am sure this is true for many people these days.
I am fortunate to have a large enough bedroom to fit a desk in one corner, right next to the large window providing me with nice daylight.
Once in a while when pondering an idea or just needing a break from my screen, I catch myself staring outside.

There is this courtyard with a sandpit in the middle, some grass around and the whole thing is framed by a bunch of trees. Right now it's not looking too pretty because the trees are still bare. Once spring fully hit's this will turn into a mini forest.

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Now while gazing outside, I am noticing a bunch of kids, they must be between 3 and 6 years of age maybe. They probably belong to the childcare place right next door.

What's interesting about them is that none of them ever stands still. None!

As long as they are outside, they are running, climbing, jumping, howling, playing catch, rolling on the ground, climbing on the play structure, running some more etc.
During the few snowy days, they would even bring plastic bags or little sleds or nothing at all to sled down a tiny hill. Still the same scene - constant, energetic movement.

As my eyes see this, my brain can't help to reflect. Here I am sitting behind this desk for many hours per day, some days 6, some 8, in rare cases even 10+ hours. Yes, some hours are spent standing (cool standing desk, thanks Google!) but still, there is no movement apart from my hands and wrists.
Let's say I spend an average of 8 hours a day here, that's 40 hours a week, 160hrs a month and 1920hrs a year.
That's when it hit me, "Sh*t! I am spending 80 full days per year sitting or standing behind my desk

Was my body really designed for this? Is it really enough to go for the occasional run/walk/bike ride? Didn't evolution intend for me to be much more physically active throughout the whole day? What could I do to integrate more activity into those 8hrs per day? Walking meetings? A quick run during lunch? What else?