A writer’s aches and pains
Like anyone in a profession that requires one to sit for long periods of time, I occasionally get a stiff neck or back. And I once suffered from wrist tendonitis for six months during a time when I was on deadline (excruciating!) But other than that, in more than twenty years of being a professional writer, I’ve rarely had any of the usual physical aches and pains that often plague writers. I’m convinced the reason is simply that I change positions a dozen times a day (if not more).
Over the years I’ve discovered the more I move around and write in different locations throughout the house, the fewer carpal, back, eyestrain, etc. issues I have. I usually start out my morning sitting Indian-style on the sofa, then move to the kitchen bar on a high stool mid-morning (I sometimes work there standing up, as well).
If the weather’s nice, I write out on the back deck in a rocking lawn chair, sometimes with my legs/feet propped up on the table. In the afternoon I work in my office either in a padded dining chair, seated on an exercise ball, or in my comfy low upholstered chair with my feet on a footstool. And if on deadline, I’m back on the sofa in the evening, with my feet on the coffee table. Occasionally, I write propped up in bed with my elbows on pillows.
Regardless of where I position myself, I try to get up and move around at least once an hour, if not more. Practicing this regimen of repositioning, I’ve only had one significant issue (the wrist tendonitis) since I started using my laptop as my only computer. And at the time that occurred, I’d been lax about changing positions. (I don’t know if it’s significant, but I don’t use a mouse either–only the trackpad on my laptop.)
Besides walking on the treadmill 4-5 mornings each week, I also lift 8-lb. hand weights 4-5 days a week for 5-8 minutes, including wrist curls. I’ve been doing that for the last five and-a-half years. I’m amazed at how much stronger my arms are since starting to lift weights just those few minutes a day!
Here are just a few of the writing positions my trusty laptop affords me:
- balanced on an exercise ball at my desk in my office
- sitting on the sofa with my feet propped on the low coffee table
- on a rocking deck chair with my feet propped on a high table
- sitting in bed propped by 6 fluffy pillows
- sitting on a high bar stool at the kitchen counter (or standing in front of it)
- sitting in a slipper chair in my office, feet propped on a footstool
- cross-legged or semi-reclining on the sofa in front of the TV (can’t write with the TV going, but I can work on my website, newsletter, Facebook, etc.)
- buckled in, in the passenger seat of our mini-van with my laptop on a pillow on my lap
Does your work require you to sit for long periods of time? Have you struggled with physical aches and pains because of it? Have you discovered ways to relieve—or better, prevent—such pain? Please share!
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Sounds like you’ve got a good system!
Reading this reminds me of my eighth grade year. I have always had a bad case of scoliosis, and for whatever reason, perhaps a growth spurt, that year my back was killing me. In fact, I was taken out of gym almost the entire school year. I used to sit at the dining room table to do my homework, but I had to quit that and move to more comfortable spots, like the sofa. To this day, I cannot sit at a desk to do work, not because I’m in pain anymore, but because I got so used to working elsewhere. In fact, when I was a teacher, I hated sitting at my desk to grade papers. As soon as we were allowed to leave for the day, I’d go home so I could sit on my couch and grade. All my desk is for these days is holding all my office supplies, but I never sit there.
I’m sure all those different spots give you different inspiration as well! I love your deck as well as your breakfast bar. Those would be my favorites!
My desk is pretty much the same, Courtney. I’m much more comfortable in the other spots. And you’re so right about the fact that moving to different spots has the added benefit of new views and new inspiration!
I, too, like to move my lap top around the house. There are at least 5 different spots here where I can write + I move shop to the library at least once a week and work from there. I haven’t had any physical issues/struggles related to my ‘desk job’ yet. 🙂
I love the library, too, Becky, but when we lived in small towns, the biggest problem was that I’m too social and I knew almost everybody who came through the library doors, so of course I had to stop and chat, and there went my writing time.
Great tips — especially for those who don’t have any problems yet. An ounce of prevention and all that. I actually saw an ergonomic chair on pinterest that enables the user to recline while typing on a laptop, then swing into a sitting position and continue working and then hop into a standing position while continuing typing. Uber cool. And uber expensive. 🙂 And there’s another lounge chair one with a hole cut out at the head so you can lie on your stomach and rest your face in the cutaway so you can see your ipad on the ground! You’ll find some interesting concoctions if you search ergonomics on pinterest.
Oooh! I might like that hole-cut-out lounge chair! But I’d be scared to invest that kind of money in something that may or may not work for me.
Great reminders, Deb. Sadly, I am never as productive if I move around with my laptop. I do better seated at my iMac (27″ and 24″ screens, side by side). So I have to remember to get up and move frequently. Did you know that after 45 minutes of inactivity (at computer, watching TV, etc.), our metabolism shuts down completely? Ack!
45 minutes! Wow! Well, then I’m going to start setting a timer to remind me to get up more often! I rarely sit more than an hour without getting up and moving around, even if it’s just to refill my coffee cup. But I’m SURE I sit 45 minutes at a time quite often! Thanks for that tip!
Deb, I enjoyed reading about and seeing the different places where you write. My problem isn’t so much the aches and pains of writing but focusing for long periods of time. So, sometimes I write with the TV going; I’m often surprised at how well I focus during those 5 minute bursts. Many a time I end up writing several minutes into the resumed show because the ideas running through my head are more entertaining than the images on the TV screen. Other times, I write with music pouring through my headphones. This is usually to tune out the tutoring going on in the room (if I’m not tutoring, too, that is; my mom, sis, and I all tutor in my house). The best time for me to write is late at night when all is quiet. The funny thing is, it can be difficult to concentrate because of the sheer silence. I’m too used to the distractions I have to battle at other times!
Blessings,
Andrea
Andrea, I totally get the sheer silence being distracting! I wrote most of my books with 4 kids at home and my desk in a corner of our small living room! I do love to write to music but it can’t have lyrics. And I’d NEVER be able to write to the TV. But yes, concentration is as much of a challenge as the aches and pains.
Well, I am in an RV and talk about a challenge. Someday I hope to say, I wrote by first book in a 29 ft. travel trailer. I can move to 3 different spots, well actually 4 counting outside. The dining room table- or should I say desk? My husband’s computer faces me on the other side. My couch, which is nothing like a nice couch at home and the bed which I do often just to get my legs up. I have little tray thing that sits over my stomach and I can do some typing that way. But I have done everything else the hard way, why should this be any different LOL!Everyone says- Cool you get to go outside. Well that is another story ….
Well, I give you huge brownie points for finding THREE in an RV! I love that it gives you a story to tell. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve found the key to avoiding pain for me is to MOVE. I also found especially when I am working on the computer for extended periods its a good idea to be standing for at least some of it. Another tip is to have a keyboard separate from a laptop to keep your hands in a good position while typing.
I agree completely Jen! I have had chronic pain for over 20 years and cannot take even an aspirin. Moving is essential to all of us. You cannot get the toxins out of your body without the circulation. As we age it gets worse. Writers and readers need to make themselves circulate in more than one way!
Jen and Sandy, I agree as well. We tend to get absorbed in our work and are completely unaware how much time has passed since we last moved! And as Sandy said, it gets worse as we get older. Even if it means setting a timer as a reminder until it gets to be a habit. One thing that has helped me—and has other health benefits besides—is to drink lots and lots of water so my bladder reminds me to get up and move! 🙂