Sitting still is A BAD THING – by Bernie
Before I started the PhD, I lived what might be described as an active life. It might also have been called a little stressful. Or even a life of burning the candle at both ends. Essentially, I spent nine years walking quickly (we were told never to run unless there was someone bleeding to death or the building was on fire) up and down a maternity unit. We did 12-hour shifts, and only had a break for about an hour (on a good day), so there was quite a lot of activity involved. And before that, I lugged a bassoon around London. For fun, obviously. That was quite heavy. Oh, and I danced a lot, and cycled, and then of course there were the small children to run after (definitely running rather than walking).
And then, through this PhD life, I discovered the beauty that is desk work. Sadly, my backside also discovered it. And of course driving to Warwick involves sitting pretty still for 3 hours of my day. All very relaxing, but also pretty bad for my fitness levels. And really, my current working life is like one long break, if I think back to my midwife existence.
So I'm rediscovering the joy of exercise. I've still been going to the gym, although sporadically, and without a great deal of commitment. So I decided that classes are the way forward. I've started water aerobics, which is excellent fun, and I'm thinking about braving zumba. And I do some walking up imaginary hills and a (very) short time on the cross trainer if I feel that way inclined.
It's actually a really good feeling. I try to go to classes in the morning, and I've found a renewed energy is attaching itself to my work for the rest of the day. Maybe it's because I get to PROPERLY wake up, but I also find being in water incredibly soothing, so I think the water aerobics are going to be my favourite. After the class, I have a little swim around, and this morning it proved very fruitful for my epic pit of think on the subject of narrative and identity construction. I came home afterwards and drew a sensible and coherent diagram. Imagine!
And the very best thing about exercising? Well, in our house it's called off-setting: if I go to the gym or a class, I can then come home and eat CAKE!!!! And it's (almost) guilt free... 
Bernadette Divall
25 Jan 2012 17:21
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Tags: Bernie Inner Life PhD Blog PhD Student Work-Life Balance
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[Skip to the latest comment]Ceren Kaya
Yummy cake,delicious!Anyway,sitting for a long time makes our body in trouble i.e. back pain or muscle problems.The best solution is as you mentioned doing exercise as much as we can.I came across an article about how to exercise while sitting that can be accessible from http://www.wikihow.com/Exercise-While-Sitting-at-Your-Computer
25 Jan 2012, 22:22
Anna Sloan
If I don’t get exercise, my back starts killing me. It’s amazing how much that motivates me to get to the pool or yoga class. So, I totally sympathise.
26 Jan 2012, 10:49
Charlotte Mathieson
I find pilates great for sorting out all the bad back issues of desk-bound work, and it generally improves your posture when you are sitting at a desk.
In spring/summer I try to get out running a few times a week – good stress-relief and like you, some of my best thoughts come when I’m not trying to work!
26 Jan 2012, 15:55
Anna Sloan
I just came across this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo&feature=player_embedded which has apparently gone viral and suddenly seems very relevant to us. (Main message: sitting is bad for you!)
27 Jan 2012, 08:26
Ruth Pearce
Every time I see that cake I feel really hungry :(
29 Jan 2012, 12:15
Bernadette Divall
Anna – that’s a great (and relevant) video!
And Ruth – I KNOW!!
Yesterday I went to a water aerobics class, and then afterwards spent a little while doing some lengths in the pool. And a marvellous thing happened – I was thinking through the story I’m writing, and suddenly the swimming became easy! So I’ve decided it’s a win-win situation: exercise is good for thinking, and thinking is good for exercising!
01 Feb 2012, 17:20
Robert Jones
That cake looks delicious….
02 Feb 2012, 16:27
Catherine Fenn
Mmmmmmm cake :o) ...often find people feel the need to question why I do so much exercise. Answer always includes a mention of cake! ;-)
03 Feb 2012, 09:37
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