Whether you have neck and back pains or have gained a few pounds, it is evident that you are constantly punishing yourself in a poorly designed and uncomfortable work position. Instead of having that ergonomic work setup for your comfort and safety, you endure long hours of work in any space you find and make do with what you have.
Other than that, you just sit down and face your computer or laptop in a strained position. Not only does that hurt your eyes but if you are working in an area that is not ergonomically designed, you can cause harm to your back and posture, too.
Good thing, you can change things up and promote a healthier approach to your daily work by considering a standing desk as a workplace essential that you can utilize even when working from home.
Read on and use this article as your guide in whether you would be getting yourself a standing desk or not. This will also open your mind to what benefits are in store for you. Before diving into the intricacies of having a standing desk, you must know why the need for it arose.
How Sedentary Lifestyles Affect Work Experience
A lot of us spend a lot of time sitting, which is becoming increasingly excessive. We seem to be staying active and moving less and less, whether we are sitting at a desk all day at work or lounging on the couch after work.
Many people do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity and are at risk of developing health problems as a result of spending too much time sedentary.
You may minimize the risks of a sedentary lifestyle by increasing their physical fitness and purchasing a standing desk or any other modern workstation equipment to change the traditional and poorly designed work area you have had while you are at the office.
What are Standing Desks
Standing desks have become as popular as smartphones, tablets, and other work resources. Standing desks are becoming a more common office perk. As public interest rises, researchers are continuing to concentrate on the effects of prolonged sitting and standing.
Unlike typical desks, standing desks are intended to reduce sedentary deaths by allowing office staff to switch between sitting and standing during the day. Standing burns significantly more calories per hour than sitting at 88 calories per hour versus 80 calories per hour sitting.
These types of desks have been shown to alleviate shoulder and back pain, increase core power, and provide users with an energy boost that they would not get from sitting for long periods. Standing could also minimize the risk of diabetes and obesity.
According to studies, standing and moving more during the day is beneficial to your well-being. One of the most significant modifiable risk factors that individuals can adjust is their level of exercise and activity (or movement in general).
How to Use a Standing Desk for Maximum Performance
1. Make sure to adjust your standing desk to be aligned with your elbows
This will give you a more relaxed and less strained position. You should maintain a 90-degree bend in your elbows while keeping your neck neutral and your wrists straight in front of you.
To align the forearms parallel with the desk board, raise or lower the standing desk. With smooth, relaxed wrists, the hands can float over the keyboard. Your fingers can rest on the keyboard, but your wrist should never be angled up or down.
2. Practice standing in good form and proper posture
Be sure to straighten your neck and relax your shoulders. Make sure your knees are slightly bent when standing so they do not get hyperextended or locked.
3. Straighten your wrists and keep them parallel to the deck floor.
You should make changes in the way you angle your wrists. To keep your wrists in a balanced position, you should keep your fingers flat and rested on the keyboard, but your wrist should never be angled up or down.
Things of Note
When sitting at a desk, it is suggested that you stand for at least two hours, to achieve an optimal four hours. Standing work should be alternated with seated work daily. In addition to avoiding too much-seated work, standing in a static position should be reduced.
To reap better benefits when using a standing desk and while you are in a prolonged state of standing, you should remember this.
It is recommended that you charge or change weight between your legs regularly. You should constantly change your body position during the day, in addition to changing your weight.
Standing for work has been shown to have no negative effects on your lower back or neck; in fact, standing will help to relieve muscle tension.
Takeaways
Standing desks are cool alternatives to your traditional work desk that has you sitting for a long amount of time. With this machine, you can be an on-the-go professional and be able to do a lot of other tasks alongside work. This is especially helpful to avoid any workplace hazards that directly wreak havoc on your body.
The most important thing to remember is to remain involved, eat well, and do a lot of research before purchasing any home office equipment. You may be able to make minor changes to what you already have at home, in addition to shopping for ergonomic office furniture.
Invest in a standing desk if you can, or find activities that allow you to stand, such as talking on the phone or reading hard copy papers. Place your file cabinet on the opposite side of the room, so you will have to cross the room to get to it. If you have a standing desk, switch from sitting to standing every hour. For a desk job, movement is your best defense! If you are on the lookout for a standing desk that can best give what you need, check out FlexiSpot’s website.
