Whether you're still considering making the switch to a stand up desk or have already started using one at work one of the most important things to remember is that there actually is a right way and a wrong way to use your height adjustable desk. But before you start panicking about all the things you may be doing wrong at your desk...STOP and a read a few expert tips from U.S. News. The award-winning nationwide news publisher did some research and discovered five ways your standing desk may be doing more harm than good. And their expert source? UpDesk of course!
When U.S. News came calling asking questions about what makes a standing desk so popular and how users can avoid harmful mistakes we answered the call and helped them encourage their readers to embrace the benefits of a stand up desk just like we encourage you on our blog everyday. Here's a quick recap of what U.S. News names as the biggest no-no's for rookie standing desk users. (Hint: a lot of them match up with our own list of things you may be doing wrong at your desk.) Because as we said in the U.S. News article "the majority of people who get frustrated (and ultimately leave)? ???a standing desk is because they're not taught how to correctly utilize it."
1. Only Standing All Day - Sitting all day certainly isn't good for you but neither is standing. That's why you need a good balance between the office chair and the anti-fatigue floor matfor standing at your desk. One easy (and awesome) way to accomplish this is with the UpDesk App which helps you create a schedule of when you will sit or stand during your work day and reminds you when it's time to switch things up.
2. Standing Still - That office chair you just threw out? It's not the only culprit leading to the harmful effects of a sedentary life. Even if you're standing at your desk keeping to one static posture (especially if it's incorrect standing posture) is a bad idea. Despite what all your elementary teachers told you fidgeting is actually the key to staying healthy and focused at work.
3. Standing for the Wrong Tasks - Believe it or not sometimes sitting really is better than standing. For jobs that require longer periods of concentration sometimes you've just got to hunker down in one place and get it done. If you have alerts set up to remind you to sit stand or move around it can be incredibly frustrating to get into a state of deep focus only to be interrupted every 30 minutes or so.
4. Standing and Burning Too Many Calories - One of the most amazing things about a height adjustable desk is that it allows you to burn calories just by staying vertical while you work. And while a stand up desk can add to your energy and focus when balanced with sitting sometimes you may actually burn too many calories and end your day with a calorie deficit that leaves you feeling more tired. That's just one more reason why point number one above is so important - find that balance between sitting and standing.
5. Standing at an Overpriced Desk - Just because you want to experience all the benefits of a stand up desk doesn't mean you have to spend the big bucks. Especially if you're just starting out with a height adjustable desk you may want to try it out before buying a brand new desk...and you certainly don't want to spend upwards of $2000 on many of the standing desk models out there. Do some research and find that sweet spot where both your bank account and your health benefit.
