There's been lots of talk lately about how prolonged sitting is just as bad as smoking and how using a standing desk like UpDesk can greatly improve not just your posture but your overall health as well. With benefits to your health happiness and productivity at work transitioning to a stand up desk may just be one of the better decisions you ever make. But sometimes no matter how much of an office trendsetter you are you just need to sit down for a few minutes - and we salute you for listening to your body. Here are a few easy tips to make sure that even when you sit at your height adjustable desk you'll still be getting all the benefits of standing.
1. Posture Posture Posture
If we've said it once we've said it a thousand times - whether you're sitting or standing keeping correct posture is key in keeping back pain at bay not to mention a slew of other negative effects including a shorter life. When sitting in an office chair pretend that you have a string at the top of your head gently pulling your upper body toward the ceiling - keep your shoulders squared and your chest slightly out to keep from hunching. If you tighten your abs you'll even get a bit of a toning workout in the process.
2. Chairs Matter
When switching back and forth between sitting and standing at your standing office desk you may be tempted to use a simple wooden stool but the truth is sitting in the wrong chair can almost completely cancel out all the good standing work you've been doing. Since your spine curves naturally (it's kind of in the shape of an "S") it's important to find an office chair that supports that natural bone structure as well. Finding a tall chair with good lumbar support (the lumbar part of your spine is between your ribcage and your pelvis) can mean a world of difference when it comes to back and shoulder pain throughout the day. When sitting make sure that your hips are at the back of the chair and adjust the height of your chair (or desk if you have an easily height adjustable desk like the PowerUp) so that your feet rest flat on the floor. To help you sit tall (think ceiling string) your knees should be slightly lower than your hips.
3. Get the Right Gear in the Right Place
Regardless of if you're sitting or standing the position of your computer keyboard and monitor is important. When you sit at a stand up desk sit so your keyboard is as close as it can be to sitting directly in front of your body low enough for your shoulders and elbows to be in an open relaxed position. Your monitor should also be centred directly in front of you in line with your eye level so that you don't end up straining your neck or slouching to see the screen. A monitor stand that can be used when standing and removed for sitting may help or you can just get a handy height adjustable desk like the UpWrite or SquaredUp that can adjust to the perfect height regardless of your position keeping you safe from slouching bad posture and eye strain with just the touch of a button.
With these three easy tips you're well on your way to standing - and sitting - your way to a healthy happy longer life. If this and other blog posts about making the switch to a standing desk have gotten you ready to take the plunge into full-time standing give UpDesk a call today at 615-350-7085 or shoot us an email at WhatsUp@UpDesk.com - we can't wait to hear from you!
