Use The 20-20-20 Rule To Fight The Effects Of Sitting All Day Long


It’s no secret that sitting all day damages your body, but figuring out a system to counteract that for yourself isn’t easy. The New York Times suggests one simple rule you can employ is a variation on the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain.

Picture: Juhan Sonin/Flickr

The best way to counteract the negative effects of sitting is to get up and move. The 20-20-20 rule just makes that easy to remember:

Jack Dennerlein, a professor at Northeastern’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences in Boston who specialises in ergonomics and safety, suggests a variation on the 20-20-20 rule used to reduce eyestrain. In the case of the eyes, the rule is to take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away (instead of your computer), and repeat this every 20 minutes. But Dr. Dennerlein notes that this eye rule can be applied to movement as well. Every 20 minutes, walk 20 feet away for 20 seconds or more. Stop by a co-worker’s desk. Get a cup of coffee. Pace. Just don’t sit.

All you need is a good timer to remind you to get into the habit of getting up every 20 minutes and you’re all set.

Ask Well: Help for the Deskbound [New York Times]


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