Hey everyone. This will be a continuation from my last post. You can click here to read it Is Sitting Detrimental to Your Health. One of the methods that I mentioned to help avoid sitting too long at work is by using a Standing Desk. There are plenty of options out there today ranging from low end to high end standing desk models depending on your budget. Which ever model you decide to use is a personal preference, however, the most important aspect is the fact that you are getting up on your feet and off of your butt.
This post is going to talk about some considerations for beginners who are new to using a Standing Desk. Just like anything else in life, you may need a little practice and a little time adjusting before learning to master a new skill or tool. You are going to start using muscles in new ways that you may have neglected in the past that will be needed for using your new Standing Desk. It is like learning to drive a car. You don't want to immediately go on the highway and start driving 70 mph. You need to start by getting your car from neutral to 1st gear and slowly building up. The same goes for you Standing Desk. So here are some tips for new users.
Start Slow
In the beginning start out by only standing for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Once you start to feel a bit fatigued, it is okay to sit down. Do this for the first week, and then each week try adding a few minutes to your standing time each week. A goal to try to achieve is the ability to only sit for 3 hours per day and stand or move around for the rest of the time at work. You may be thinking, "how hard can it be to stand for a few hours at a time?" But you will be surprised. You may get fatigued much sooner than you anticipated. So be sure to start out slowly in the beginning. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Use a Mat
Gel mats are a great accessory for your Standing Desk. This will help provide support for you feet, ankles, knees, and hips. A gel mat may also help you in keeping your standing position for longer periods of time. You can even try standing on your mats barefoot, to help give your feet a little freedom and movement.
Sit During Times of High Concentration
In the beginning you may find that since your body is not used to standing and working, that you will get fatigued easily. This may be distracting. During times where high concentration is needed, it may be advisable to sit down. After a few weeks, you will become better adapted to standing and focus when standing on your feet.
Proper Positioning
Recommended computer distance from your Standing Desk is 15-30 inches from your eyes. You want your eyes to be level with or slightly below your computer screen. You don't want to have to strain your body in any way, or have to hunch over.
Don't Just Stand...Move
Standing will burn more calories than just sitting at your desk, but to burn even more calories, be sure to move around. You can do calf raises at your desk or air squats. It is also recommended to take at least 10,000 steps per day. You can also stretch at your desk to help with blood flow and to loosen your muscles in between standing and sitting.
Well that is all for now. I hope you learned something new. Have you tried using a Standing Desk yet? Please comment and share. I look forward to hearing from you. See you soon.
Reference: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/thomas-b-trafecanty/the-benefits-and-consider_b_9996782.html