Hello, awesome readers.
I have this thing and since “thing” is a terrible way of describing anything, we’ll call it ‘a bad habit’. To help give you a visual, I often double-cross my legs when I’m sitting. I know what you’re thinking: That doesn’t sound like a bad habit.
And now you’re wondering if I even know what a bad habit is.
My answer to that is, yes. A bad habit is usually indicative of something that you do over and over again even though you know that it’s bad for you; like smoking cigarettes or the regular consumption of energy drinks. And while I agree that double-crossing your legs doesn’t fall in the same category as these, I can assure you that there is solid evidence that proves the harmful effects of sitting for long periods of time with legs double-crossed.
Case in Point
Recently, my laptop and I went to the coffee shop to get some writing done. All started out well. Perhaps too well. I ordered the regular, a caramel macchiato (yes, dad, every once in a while I become one of “those” people) and while I was waiting for the barista to whip it up, I noticed that my fave seat in the house was available. I like this seat because it’s next to a wall outlet. So I did what anyone suffering from my-laptop-just-died-a-phobia: I went over and claimed the spot by putting my purse and jacket in the chair. Then I went back to the counter to get my hot, delicious beverage (not an ad), and settled in for a serious bout of writing.
As with all bad habits, I wasn’t even aware that I had double-crossed my legs. At least not until several hours later when my stomach started yelling at me and I realized that I should probably go home to eat something. (I don’t mind spending $5 on a coffee I can’t make at home, but spending $17 on a sandwich I won’t finish? Not so much.)
I gathered my stuff (laptop, cell phone, plugs), shoved my mobile office paraphernalia back into my purse and stood up to put my jacket on. This is where those harmful effects come in. The ones that prove my point about how double-crossing your legs is a bad habit because it is hazardous to your health.
Did you know that this unconsciously comfortable way of sitting cuts off the circulation in your legs? And did you know that when you have no circulation in your legs they don’t work?
Yup. It’s true. Within two seconds of standing up I went down. It’s amazing how quickly your ass can hit the floor when you’re not expecting it. And if that’s not bad enough, not one, not two, but THREE people ran over to make sure I wasn’t dead. I’m pretty sure everyone was expecting me to cringe in embarrassment but to be honest, I was too busy trying to find my legs.
All that to say that despite not being a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions, I now have one … NO MORE DOUBLE-CROSSING MY LEGS.
And since I’m now sitting here with my leg up and an ice pack around my twisted freaking ankle, I think it’s safe to say that so far I am winning at breaking this bad habit.
I’m also pretty sure that I’m ready to start smoking and guzzling energy drinks now. Bring out the big guns!
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The things we learn. Sometimes the easy way: by reading about another friend’s experience (see above), and sometimes the hard way by landing on our…hindsight. Sorry about your twisted ankle. But thank you for the knowledge!
And good luck with that resolution!
Thanks, Diane!
Well yeah! If you are gonna do bad habits, lets make ’em BAD!!!
🙂 gwingal
Lol – Yeah put that way, I guess my bad habits are pretty lame 🙂
A friend of mine is super flexible. During a yoga class she stretched further than the nerves in her lower back were accustomed to stretching and her legs went numb. She tried to stand and fell to the floor… Oh, dear!!
Oh geez! Hope she didn’t hurt herself!
I do a single crossing of my legs and if I don’t have room under the table I sit at an angle and type. My back hates me and pays me back with sciatica. Not good! My legs once went numb in physical therapy (I fell off a stationery bike) but never in a coffee shop.
Ah, so you’ve been there. I’ve heard that standing up desks are good. The coffee shop also has a counter that I could use as a standing up desk. Not sure I’d write for the same length of time though.
Oh no – be careful! My legs go numb often when I’m sitting so I tend to be very careful when standing up — but I think trying to eliminate the posture is the best bet!
Yup, working on it. I’m also trying to remember to be mindful when I stand up. I’m a work in progress 🙂
Twisted ankles are the worst. I’ve rolled mine more times than I can count.
I’m trying to break the bad habit of watching TMZ every night. It’s a huge time suck and I’ve got to let it go!
Okay, Joyce! Let’s be each other’s accountability partner for breaking our bad habits!
I think all of you are sitting too much.
Yes, considering that that’s the position required for earning a living, you’re probably right. Thanks, mom 😉