Sitzfleisch

 Do I need a “proper chair” or an ergonomically designed chair for my workspace? The short answer is of course not, and even shorter answer is NO 

History of chairs, is interesting. Like many things in the history, the story starts from the Egyptians. The Egyptian aristocracy used chairs not stools (that is stools with back rest. And most of us, the mere mortals who don’t worship cats as gods- sat on ground, squatted on the ground (on which we even published a research article) or on something mostly without back rest.

The modern chair

In the 19th century, Michael Thonet, a carpenter, played a significant role in popularizing chairs among the masses through his innovative bentwood technique.

Michael Thonet chair

However, it's worth noting that chairs remained relatively uncommon in many regions of the world until more recent times. When I was growing up (in the 70s and 80s), chairs were not commonly found in places like cinemas, marriage halls, or rural households. My next-door Neighbours – who had the biggest house in the block had one easy chair and everyone else sat on the floor. You went to a marriage in the 70s and 80s mostly the women sat on the ground and there were some chairs where the men sat (our great egalitarian society)

The proliferation of chairs can be attributed to various factors, including the advent of plastic materials, socio-economic advancements, and changing cultural norms. These factors have contributed to chairs becoming a ubiquitous piece of furniture in modern households and workplaces. 

With the advent of more office work came more sitting time. We spent more time on the chairs more then standing or in the bed. It ushered in the advent of comfortable, ergonomically designed chairs. we got chairs with cushion seats so, your ass is comfortable sitting hours together, those large back rest extending up to the neck (for extra comfort), the cushioned hand rest and much more.

Prolonged sitting brought in concerns of health and musculoskeletal issues. Voila enter poorly educated medical professionals - from the ortho to physiotherapist. Fearmongering plays a significant role in capitalism, including in the field of medicine. As a result, we witnessed headlines proclaiming that "sitting is the new smoking," creating a sense of exaggerated risk. While it is true that prolonged sitting is not ideal for our health, the severity of its negative effects may have been overstated by fear-mongers. 
Furthermore, the fearmongering around sitting gave rise to a cottage industry focused on educating people about the "proper" way to sit. This included guidelines on sitting posture and warnings against sitting on the floor due to supposed risks of developing osteoarthritis ("OA knee cooties"). The entire field of ergonomics thrived as a result, with an abundance of products and advice on finding the best chair. 

It is important to maintain a balanced perspective and consider individual comfort and needs when choosing seating options. While ergonomic considerations can be beneficial for some, it is essential to separate genuine health concerns from fear-driven marketing tactics. 

Health risks of prolonged sitting

The real issues related to sitting for extended periods stem from the fact that humans have evolved to engage in various activities, including extended periods of sitting. Studies conducted on hunter-gatherer communities have revealed that humans historically spent many hours sitting. Even before the rise of office work, individuals engaged in physically demanding tasks such as farming, followed by periods of rest and sitting. 

Therefore, sitting itself is not the problem. The issue arises from our modern lifestyle, where we often lack physical activity and prolonged sedentary behavior becomes the norm. Our bodies are designed to be active and engage in a range of movements. When we don't have enough physical work or movement in our daily lives, it can negatively impact our overall well-being. 

The key is to strike a balance between sitting and physical activity. Incorporating regular exercise, movement breaks, and maintaining an active lifestyle can help counteract the potential negative effects of prolonged sitting. It is important to recognize the importance of overall physical engagement rather than solely focusing on the act of sitting itself.  

What can you do?

While the following suggestions are not evidence-based, they can be considered as practical ideas to incorporate more movement and avoid prolonged sitting during office work: 

1. Consider using a stool instead of a traditional chair for your office work. This can help improve your sitting endurance by providing less comfort and encouraging you to get up and move after some time. I know that’s not possible in office- may be when you work from home.

2. opt for a non-comfy chair that doesn't promote extended sitting. A chair that lacks excessive comfort can discourage prolonged sitting and prompt you to stand up and move around more frequently. 

3. Take regular standing breaks and incorporate squats into your routine. Standing up and doing some squats can help break up long periods of sitting and engage your muscles. 

4. Avoid keeping everything you need within easy reach on your desk. By placing items like a water bottle or physical files slightly farther away, you are more likely to get up and move occasionally to retrieve them. 

5. Make a pact with your colleagues to motivate each other to move every hour or so. Establish a system where you remind each other to take short breaks, stretch, or go for a quick walk to break up sedentary periods. 

6. Remember that taking breaks is essential for your well-being. Remind yourself that the tasks at hand are not life-or-death situations, and taking a break won't significantly impact your work. Step away from your laptop and give yourself the opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate. 

7. It's important to note that while these suggestions may help promote movement and reduce prolonged sitting, they are not scientifically proven approaches. It's always advisable to consult with healthcare professionals or ergonomic experts for evidence-based recommendations on improving your work environment and overall well-being. 

8. if you are in-charge type- throw away that ergonomic expert and get a stick (read the previous suggestion also)

Love
Hariohm

reference and further reading:

1. “How the mind works by Steven pinker”

2. Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding- Lieberman  

3. and my own crazy ideas from reading