hazy stars: I Sit on a Ball

For some time now, I've been sitting on exercise physio ball at work. (As if my co-workers didn't think I was strange enough already).

Why do I sit on this huge ball all day?

At first, it was an experiment. I've read many articles about schools that replaced chairs with balls as well as articles suggesting desk workers to switch out the chair for balls. Once upon a time I bought a huge ball from Target with the intention to use it at home but, out of sheer laziness, never did. So I had this huge ball just taking up space in my little bedroom, until something sparked and I brought it to work.

And now I love it. So much, in fact, that I bring it everywhere in the agency with me, even to meetings. It is the "Kid Sister" or "My Buddy" equivalent of my twenties. "My Ball, My Ball. Wherever he goes, I go too. My Ball, My Ball and me." (Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about."

What are the benefits? My posture is tremendously better. Is it directly related the ball or a placebo effect? Doesn't matter because, regardless, my posture is excellent. My core is also stronger. No, I do not have a six pack. My diet would never allow such a thing. But, I can tell you that my lower back is stronger, hence the postural improvement.

The ball is a great stress reliever. When I get anxious or excited, the ball is a great way to rid myself of tension or excess energy, just by bouncing around.

The other day I rolled my ball over a tack. I was a huge travesty. I tried glue and tape, but alas, I had to let the ball go to ball heaven. I could not last one day in a chair. I went right out the next night and bought another ball from Target. At 11$ a pop, it is a solid purchasing decision.

I love love love my ball.

Now, I’m not the only one at my agency who sits on a ball. Through my inspiration, our president, Artie Isaac, has also decided to forgo the chair for a ball. He even wrote a blog about it. Today, he was caught using it to bowl for umbrellas. Does your job sound this fun? Maybe you should get a ball too!

Many websites promote the use of physio balls for their health benefits. I recently found a site that lists the following ten reasons for replacing a desk chair with a physio ball:

1. Forces proper spine alignment.
2. Causes you to frequently change positions.
3. Fitness is at your fingertips.
4. Improve your balance.
5. Get that 6-pack you’ve been wanting
6. Improves your circulation.
7. You’ll feel more energetic.
8. More movement during the day = more calories burnt.
9. Really cheap.
10. C’mon, its fun! Who doesn’t like the idea of bouncing around on an exercise ball all day?