Standing desks can be a great way to improve your posture and enhance your workplace productivity. Plus, they're pretty much easy to use, and all you have to do is adjust your workplace in line with your ergonomics. While there isn't much to learn when it comes to using a standing desk, if you look at it from someone else's perspective: all you have to do is stand, work, and just repeat the process, right?
Well, that is where things can be a bit tricky, especially when you factor in the ergonomics of your body. After all, what may seem comfortable to you may not be comfortable for the next person. This is why it's very important to understand how to fully maximise the advantages of height adjustable desks in view of your body and posture.
In light of this, we're going to share some important tips and tricks that are going to help you effectively use your standing office desk to experience the benefits it was originally designed to provide. So, without further ado, let's dive right in.
Frequently Alternate Between Standing and Sitting
Now that you bought a standing desk to help correct your posture and boost your productivity and that you're excited to use it, keep in mind that you should take things a bit slow. That's because you'll have to change your habits and adjust to a new routine. Plus, you'll also be tempted to stand all day working in hopes of improving your posture.
But that's the wrong way to go about it, and it will end up becoming counterproductive. Why? Well, if you abruptly change your normal sitting position, which you've been used to for a long time, and just stand for hours on end, you'll quickly exhaust yourself, and your legs will begin to feel fatigued. In all, it will be a very uncomfortable experience.
The best way to go about it is to stand and work for, let's say, 15-20 minutes, then sit for another 15-20 minutes till you get used to working standing up. From there, you can gradually increase the time you stand without feeling any pain in your back, neck, and shoulders.
Keep Your Body Moving
Another misconception about using height adjustable desks is that people don't really think much of moving while working. Remember that standing there like a statue, typing away at your laptop, is only going to make you more exhausted, and you'll feel the urge to sit. That defeats the purpose of the product. The solution? Move. Walk around the room for 1-2 minutes, or just do some random stretching exercises to keep the blood flowing.
Understand How You Should Stand
It's quite surprising to know that not a lot of people stand properly. Standing leaning on your office table or hunched over isn't standing. All you'll be doing is putting a ton of pressure on your lower back and neck. The only optimal and healthy way to stand is completely straight with your shoulders in their natural position.
The best way to use a height adjustable desk is to stand with your toes completely straight, and your heels planted firm on the floor. Be sure that you're standing straight, which is going to help activate your calf, neck, and back muscles. Do this every day, and in time; you'll be standing the way human beings are designed to stand.
Adequately Position Your Shoulders
One of the primary issues of using a traditional work table is that it forces people to sit hunched, which isn't very healthy for your shoulders, neck, and back. Using a standing desk is going to gradually help you get back your natural posture, allowing you to eliminate the shoulder slump from years of sitting leaning forward on your desk.
The best way to keep your shoulders relaxed is to rotate them every 10-15 minutes while you're standing and working. Plus, you'll need to monitor yourself and remember to roll them anytime your shoulders start to slump. After some time of doing this, rolling your shoulders will come naturally to you.
Bottom Line
In all, an ergonomically designed standing desk can be an ideal way to help correct your posture, get rid of tension headaches caused by a stiff neck and shoulders, and gradually achieve that natural arch in your mid-back. However, keep in mind that just getting a height adjustable desk isn't going to solve anything. You need to learn how to use it properly. Hopefully, the tips we've mentioned are going to help you understand what to do and how to do it.
