Are you new in the sit-stand lifestyle? Have you recently invested in a standing desk? Starting right and doing it correctly is important to sustaining the habit of alternating between sitting and standing at work. There are individuals who jump into this lifestyle shift with so much enthusiasm, only to get so tired, burn out, lose interest, and revert to their old sedentary lifestyle after a while. And the reason? Failing to do it the right way.
In this article, we’ll share some of the common mistakes people make when they use a standing desk and how you can avoid the same mistakes to make your lifestyle shift easier and sustainable.
How to Avoid the Common Mistakes in the Use of Standing Desk
From the timing to the design of your workstation, all of these things have to be considered and done right when making the shift to a sit stand lifestyle.
Mistake #1: Standing too much, too soon
Standing is so much better than sitting—this is true. But as with everything else, there is such a thing as too much standing, and too soon. The reason the lifestyle is called a sit-stand lifestyle is because you have to alternate between sitting and standing, and there is a right ratio between the two. The ideal ratio is 30 minutes of standing every hour. However, you can’t expect yourself to make the 30-minute mark if you’re only starting in this habit. Otherwise, you’ll experience fatigue and you won’t give your muscles the chance to adjust.
What You Can Do:
Start small—maybe 5 to 15 minutes of standing every hour in the beginning. More than counting time, you must listen to your body. Go back to sitting if you start feeling tired. Take it slow, and then build on your standing hours over time once your body has adjusted.
Mistake #2: Wearing the wrong footwear
No matter how flattering high heels look on you, you may have to forgo them when you start adding more standing time to your schedule. High heels cause extra strain on the legs, which can lead to muscle pain.
What You Can Do:
Switch to comfortable and supportive shoes that provide proper cushioning and arch support to your feet. In addition, you can invest in an anti-fatigue mat. This mat can provide additional cushion to your feet, saving your leg muscles from the strain caused by prolonged standing on a hard surface. This will make standing easier, allowing you to stand more without getting so tired.
Mistake #3: Setting the desk at the wrong height
Every user has a specific height, and the standing desk height should match that correctly. Electric standing desks come with a keypad that will allow you to set the desk height, even save the data so that you just need to press one button the next time you need to set the desk to your saved height. However, you first need to know how to set the desk height properly. Otherwise, you won’t get the benefits the standing desk is designed to offer in the first place.
What You Can Do:
Make sure you set the correct desk height right from the start, and then save it. But how do you get the right height? Simply use your elbow as reference. The correct height should allow your elbow to be bent at a 90-degree angle when you place your hands and wrists on the desk’s surface. And even when you have already set the desk at the correct height, do a regular check once in a while to see if you need to readjust your saved height.
Mistake #4: Not paying attention to proper posture
A standing desk is designed to address posture problems when sitting. However, even standing does not completely free you up from bad posture. Leaning on your desk or hunching over your computer—these can happen if the standing desk height is not set right or if you get too tired while standing. Slouching while standing can also happen when you don’t pay attention to the way you stand and to the position of your shoulders. Lastly, not moving enough while standing is also harmful to your body.
What You Can Do:
Keep moving while you are standing. You can do this by simply shifting your weight from one foot to the other while you stand. Try to do calf raises, or just perform gentle movements to keep your body active and your muscles engaged. You may also do simple stretches or walk around. And, make sure to pay attention to the way you stand—stand straight and keep your body relaxed.
Mistake #5: Having poor setup on your desk
When it comes to desk setup, this covers the placement of all the equipment and items you have on your desk. For one, having too many items in there is not advisable because of several reasons. The clutter can hamper your productivity. Overloading the desk can damage it prematurely. And, incorrect placement of items such as your monitor can have negative effects to your body. Having a standing desk is one step to enjoying a healthy lifestyle, but make sure you maintain a good setup on your desk.
What You Can Do:
Avoid cluttering your standing desk with too many items. Keep only the essentials to maintain a clean and organized workspace. Apart from this, make sure everything you have on your desk is positioned properly. Your standing desk and monitor must be set at the correct height. The monitor should be placed at eye level, and your keyboard and mouse should be at a height that will allow your arms to comfortably access them (think about the 90-degree angle bend at your elbow as your reference). Make sure to adjust the desk and monitor height to suit your body’s needs.
Are you ready to make a lifestyle shift and start your sit-stand journey? Take note of the mistakes you have to avoid. And if you are still in the market for a standing desk, check this selection to find the right one for you.
