Radically redesign their workspace on a whim

I've been more paranoid these days about the consequences of being sedentary and out of shape. Since I have enough wherewithal at my disposal to address this, I *finally* did get off my behind and do something about it. I first came across the concept of "not sitting" all the time on a quirky site called The Hairpin (love that place) and some of the comments mentioned having a standing computer station. Kinda like a kiosk for the home, office, or home office. So I'm thinking the idea is totally fantastic. Hours later, I clicked an online article I didn't mean to click. But oh, it was so worth the 1.34 seconds of brow scrunching. The author described in great detail, converting their whole working space to a computer/desk mounted treadmill. I was so fascinated, that for three days I thought of little else. Three nail biting days later, after acquiring my Craigslist loot, I fashioned one of these new-fangled things myself.

 Behold...

A treadmill workspace cobbled together by moi!

 It also got me thinking about ergonomics in the workplace. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics said that in 2010, up to 34% of all work absences recorded in the country were because of musculoskeletal disorders that were work related. I am actually shocked by that number, but perhaps I really shouldn't be surprised when I notice people at work who aren't at their best health. For example, I went out to lunch at a restaurant yesterday, and I noticed that the serving lady had really swollen ankles. That could've been related to any number of health issues, but standing for hours without properly flexing your muscles can make anybody's lower extremities puffy.

 I know that a lot of us also have really bad habits when it comes to computer usage, sitting posture, leg crossing, etc. But there are some factors in which workers don't always have much of a choice. It's totally not unheard of for people who fall on either side of average height and/or weight curve to make do with whatever standard sized desk,chair, or equipment is provided by the workplace.

 Back in the early 1990's before everybody caught on to best keyboard/mouse practices, there was a dramatic rise in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Today, the computer-centered desk is one of the most ergonomically redesigned part of the workplace. But what about people whose work and productivity don't revolve around the computer? People who work long days in hot fields full of pesticides, with only a bandanna over the face and a sweatshirt for protection from the chemical mist, definitely could benefit from ergonomic redesign. As could many, many people in other trades that rely on physical labor.

 I can't ignore though, that in many memoirs and autobiographies I've read about people who've become influential in their respective professional spheres, there's usually a sort of positive association with the "battle scars" of the trade. A broken bone here, a gash there, an occasional burn, all of these seem to be recalled with... nostalgia? I think I can actually identify with that a little bit, in the way a person who likes to build things with their hands can. I've had my own share of cut, smashed, impaled fingers and hands more times than I can count. And if ever I write a memoir, I can too see myself waxing on about it with a special sort of fondness. It's like I look at those past injuries as obstacles that I've overcome, like any other logistical challenge. Perhaps this is a rather detached way of looking at things in the way that those of us with relatively protected livelihoods can afford. If I get injured in one of my favorite activities (working with tools and home improvement projects), it'll slow me down, but my job and lifestyle won't be at stake. This isn't true for everybody.