How to avoid swollen feet sitting at desk all day?

mbernasconi14 · September 2012

I'm sure swollen feet are not completely avoidable. I have researched online a bit, and have come across the suggestions to avoid salt, drink more water, etc. My question is...for those of you who sit at a desk all day...what do you do to help avoid swollen feet/ankles? Do you prop your feet up? If so, what do you use to prop them up? And do you stretch or walk around?

The reason I'm asking is because I came home from work yesterday, and WOW my feet were swollen! I propped my feet up as soon as I got home, and the swelling went down overnight...but there has to be more I can do to try to avoid this (I'm definitely going to drink more water during the day as well). Any suggestions would be VERY much appreciated!

bearkatjen · September 2012

I put in 15 hours in one day at my desk last week, or maybe it was the week, it's all kinda of hazy now, but I was dealing with swollen feet for the whole week after that. I try to take some time to elevate them at work and I drink my water. When I get home in the evening, I take it easy and prop them up.
My feet are fine now, but if I don't keep up with my water, or prop up my feet for a few minutes during the day, I can start to have problems and it all just builds.

RachelG1016 · September 2012

My PC tower is underneath my desk and I almost always have my feet up on it. I have a small pillow on the top so it's comfy.

I haven't had any issues with swelling yet. Not sure if it's that I always have my feet up or if I am just lucky.

bearkatjen · September 2012

Oh, I have a papasan chair and a guest chair in my office, so I either prop my feet on the guest chair, and work at my desk, or I work from my laptop in the papasan chair and use my desk chair as an ottoman.
I work at a university, and I've considered taking my laptop over to the comfy sofas in the student center. If you have a lounge at work, maybe that would work?

brianabrad · September 2012

I use a foot stool so my feet are up a little. My doctor also recommend compression socks to help with major swelling. I also use my Outlook calendar to remind me to get up and walk around every hour. Even if it just get up and stretch in my cube I figure its better than continuing to sit.

mbredin · September 2012

You could try what is called compression or ted stockings.They help to prevent blood from pooling in your legs.They sell some pretty dorky one's at drug stores, but I think maternity stores sell them as well. Most of the nurses, pts and ots I know wear them during pregnancy.

Smiley-1980 · September 2012

I found a spare trash can that wasn't being used and was clean and I turned it upside down under my desk. I haven't had any issues with swelling so I don't use it that often but it's there if I need it