If you spend most of your day sitting, a standing desk can help you stay healthy and active. But using one isn’t as simple as walking up a set of stairs. Using a standing desk correctly will allow you to get the most out of your new standing desk, so read on for some tips.
1) Alternating between sitting and standing:
If you’re used to spending most of your day sitting, switching to a standing desk can be jarring at first. The trick isn’t to avoid standing; it’s to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day.
This prevents your body from becoming adjusted to sitting, and prevents you from developing the habits of an Office Space worker. You can stand when you’re working, sitting when you’re not, and then sitting back down when you’re done.
2) Adjust your desk and screen:
The first few times you use your standing desk, start by setting it at about elbow height. This means your elbows should be in a 90 degree position from the floor. As you get more comfortable standing, you can raise your desk up higher. This gives your legs a little more support, which makes it easier to stand for longer periods of time.
As a guide, the average 5’11” (180 cm) person would have their desk about 44 inches (111 cm) high.
Recommendations for screen position are not black and white, but the general consensus is to have it 20–28 inches (51–71 cm) from your face.
3) An Anti-Fatigue Mat:
Now that you have your standing desk all dialled in, it’s time to pick out a mat to stand on. A good mat will keep your joints happy and healthy by reducing the amount of friction between your feet and the floor, which reduces the amount of stress on your joints.
Look for an anti-fatigue mat; the ones with arch support are especially good at reducing the amount of fatigue you feel while standing. If money is an issue, a good rubber mat will work just fine.
4) Change Your Keyboard and Mouse Position:
Working long hours on the computer can strain your wrists. Therefore, it’s important to optimise wrist position when sitting or standing. The best position for your wrists when using a keyboard is to keep your wrists straight, at about a 90 degree angle from your forearm.
This allows you to use a neutral grip, which is the grip that allows you to use the least amount of force while still being able to type accurately.
5) Arm support:
Using arm supports while working on a computer can help reduce the amount of stress on your wrists. They come in a variety of forms, such as pillows, armbands, and surfaces.
An arm support is soft padding or surface area that attaches to your desk. It is designed to reduce pressure on the wrist that operates the mouse.
6) Take Breaks:
Even though standing at your desk is better than sitting, you should still take regular breaks to move and stretch, clear your head and rest your eyes. The best way to take a break is to get up, move around, and then get back to work.
This allows your body to release any built up energy, which will allow you to focus better and get more done. When you’re done for the day, you can sit back down and use the relaxation and stress relieving benefits of sitting again.
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