Using a standing desk is a fantastic way to decrease back and neck pain while increasing your productivity on the job. But standing desks can be used incorrectly, negating those benefits.
Before you buy your desk, let’s review their benefits and how to use them properly to avoid losing out on those benefits:
Benefits of Standing Desks
Using a standing desk intermittently throughout the day can be a great way to maintain focus and productivity.
A major reason for this is that standing desks help to reduce back and neck pain that often come with sitting all day. As the Center for Disease Control explained in a study, reducing time spent sitting by about an hour a day reduced back and neck pain by 54%. Standing desks are a super easy way to reduce the time that you sit.
You can also easily stand up without having to break your workflow. You do not have to stop working when you use a standing desk. All you have to do is, well, stand up!
Here’s a recap of some of the major potential benefits of standing desks:
- Reduced Back & Neck Pain
- Increased Productivity
- Heightened Alertness
- Improved Posture
- Better Joint Movement and Flexibility
- Improved Mood & Energy Levels
Want to learn more about standing desks’ benefits? Check out this article which goes into greater detail!
In short, standing desks have a lot of great benefits. Those benefits are the reason why so many people have raved about theirs!
There are plenty of affordable standing desk options out there, ranging in all different sizes, giving you flexibility in picking the one that’s best for you.
Unfortunately, not everyone realizes these benefits. Some people even experience worse pain than before. Why is this? Let’s stake a look at some of those drawbacks and how new standing desk users can prevent them.
*Want to get started with a very popular standing desk? Check out our review of the VIVO 36 inch Standing Desk here!*
What to Watch Out For
Standing desks, while great, can be misused. After all, with great power comes great responsibility!
A common problem that new users experience is new pain. How can this be? The whole point of standing desks for many people is to reduce pain.
The problem arises when a person not used to standing all day immediately switches to standing all day. Your body might not be used to this new routine. Weak muscles are suddenly being used all of the time.
If you go from sitting all day, every day, to suddenly standing for many hours at a time, your feet will likely get quite sore. You might feel soreness in your shins, especially if you use heeled shoes. Your calves and hamstrings might get very tired and sore, too.
Somewhat ironically, you might also experience back soreness if you stand up for long periods of time. If your back isn’t used to standing up straight, it will take some time to build up strength and flexibility again to correct your posture.
Another danger with using standing desks is if you have to hunch over to see your computer or use your workspace. Even though you are standing, you might still be arching your back. This would likely cause more pain.
This is why it’s important to find a standing desk that fits your desk and is tailored to your height. Keep in mind that every table is different. A standing desk that works for you on one table might work poorly on a much shorter one.
If you’re considering getting a standing desk, check out our collection of desk reviews to see which one would be best for your needs. Whether you want something for your home office or your desk at work, there’s an option for you.
So, how do you prevent these problems that some new standing desk users experience?
Use Intermittent Standing & Sitting Instead
Intermittent standing while at work decreases musculoskeletal discomfort, according to a study by Dr. Alicia Thorp of the Neurovascular Hypertension and Kidney Disease Laboratory. The benefits associated with standing desks come with intermittent standing, not standing continuously.
So, if you use a standing desk, find out what’s most comfortable for you. Maybe standing for 30 minutes and then sitting for 30 minutes works well for you. Or maybe sitting for 1 hour and then standing for 20 minutes makes the most sense. It’s entirely dependent on your body and comfort levels!
Standing up in intervals while you work can help keep you focused and energized. As soon as you start getting uncomfortable or sluggish in one work position, you can easily move to the other one.
One additional way to combat feet soreness is to use a cushioned floor mat, like this one. This can help to avoid foot soreness and shin splints, especially if you use heeled shoes.
Otherwise, using intermittent rather than continuous standing while working is the best way to avoid many of the drawbacks that new standing desk users sometimes experience. Once you develop a personal routine, you can really enjoy your new desk and all of its great benefits.
*Read all of our desk reviews here!*
Developing a Routine
Creating your ideal routine might take some time.
Experiment with different variations to figure out what’s best for you. Try one day of mostly standing. Try another with mostly sitting. Even after you find a good balance, it might take some getting used to.
But the benefits are very clear for many users. Once you find what works well for you, you can take your productivity to new heights! Your body should thank you, too.
If using a standing desk still doesn’t eliminate any back or neck pain problems that you have, consider consulting with a physician to see if you can take additional steps.
Conclusion – Standing Desks Take Time to Adjust To
If you have never used a standing desk before, your body might not be used to a sudden change in your sitting habits. Before you buy your standing desk, realize that it will take some time to adjust to.
Standing desks can be over-used. That is, you can stand too much. And we already know that you can sit too much as well. Finding an appropriate balance between the two might take some time.
When you find that balance, you can enjoy the great potential health and productivity benefits that standing desks have given to so many users!
*Looking for a larger standing desk with great customer feedback? Check out our review of the FlexiSpot 47-Inch Standing Desk Converter here!*