anybody have any advice about picking out a desk chair? the one I'm using makes my butt go numb if I don't have my feet propped up on something, and I'm starting to think that's not just a Quirky Bisexual Trait
@maya My advice would be:
1) Try them out *in person*, and if possible, try them out for a full day (though I realize that especially for cheaper options this is hard to do)
2) If you need to spend a lot of time behind a desk, get two different chairs that put you in different postures, and alternate between them. I've found that this helps a lot. You might want one of them to be a stool instead.
3) The best semi-affordable widely-available option that works for a lot of people that I'm aware of is the IKEA MARKUS. But try it first!
4) Second-hand 'commercial' office chairs can also be a good option. The Comforto 77 is a good option that works for a lot of people.
5) A separate backrest (ie. not continuously attached to the seat) often helps to keep a good posture.
6) No matter how good the chair, sitting for hours on end is always bad for your body. Take regular breaks - use something like Workrave to enforce it, if necessary. I've also found brief equipment-less core exercises to work very well for keeping my posture healthy.
IKEA used to have a *very* cheap and *very* good (if slightly uncomfortable) plasticky desk chair, the ALRIK, but unfortunately it's no longer available :( You might be able to find it second-hand, though!
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@maya Oh yeah I almost forgot, it sounds like you might have blood circulation issues - you might be able to get significant improvements simply by alternating between hot and cold during showers, even just in the last minute or so (and this doesn't necessarily need to be uncomfortable!), as that helps blood circulation going.
