Will a standing desk improve my well-being at work?
Answer: Yes. It will.
The reality is, standing desks will benefit us in ways we didn’t even know how. Let’s take a look at some of the key advantages:
- Posture: Keeping your spine straight at work and training your core will help correct your posture. As a result, back pain will be significantly reduced. Say goodbye to neck pain too as your computer screen is raised to eye-level, aligning your head with the rest of your body.
- Energy levels: Standing desks will allow you to tactically sidestep that afternoon lull. Sitting after lunch means the digestive system has to work twice as hard. Our bodies are therefore using more energy and will slow us down. On the other hand, standing while working will help you remain alert, allowing you to be productive no matter what time it is.
- Blood circulation: Being vertical facilitates blood flow, which increases the body’s oxygen levels and assists the metabolism. Increased blood flow means your brain will be continually flooded with oxygen, rich nutrients, and mood-enhancing chemicals: the recipe for creativity.
Standing at work: the gradual approach
In order to optimise your work performance, we recommend that for every two hours sitting, you spend one hour standing. You can gradually raise this ratio over the course of a few weeks. The main point here, however, is not to force yourself. It may take longer for some to build new habits into their daily routine. We want to aim for a gradual, easy shift to a healthier work environment, so find what suits you and take your time!
Which standing desk will be best suited to me?
So far, we’ve explored the virtues of being vertical. But you’re probably now wondering which desk will be most suitably tailored to your needs. Let’s take a look at three different types of standing desks:
- Mechanically adjustable standing desks
It must be stated that these desks require constant manual adjustment. Set the height of your desk to hip-level and position your laptop or monitor on a platform at eye-level. The drawback of this kind of desk is that they rarely have a platform for your screen, forcing you to look down, which will only cause more back and neck problems. If this type of desk has won you over, be sure to buy a laptop raiser or desktop stand to raise your computer screen.
- Electrically adjustable standing desks
These operate the same way as their mechanically adjustable counterparts but with an added benefit: the desk height can be changed at the press of a button. Better yet, some even have memory buttons! Prices for these desks can range from 200 GBP to as much as 3,000 GBP.
- Converter standing desks
There is a wide range of models, types, materials and pricing for these desks, including HumbleWorks. Converter desks allow you to elevate your screen to eye-level and also provide a platform at elbow level for your keyboard and mouse. These desks act as a supplement to your sitting desk. They usually fold down and adjust easily, enabling swift transition between sitting and standing while working.
Which desk should I buy?
So, you’re aware of the benefits of standing, and we’ve explored the different types of desks. Now it’s crunch time. Which desk should you buy?
The truth is, there is no right answer. Everyone is different, and your perfect desk will totally depend on your needs, your available space and your budget. However, when considering which one to buy, try and remember the chief purpose of standing desks: posture improvement.
Some standing desks, namely, the adjustable ones, allow you to work while standing but depending on the model you choose, you may need to stoop in order to see your screen. This defeats the entire purpose of standing desks and will only cause more posture problems in the future.
Things you MUST consider when purchasing a standing desk:
- Make sure your head is not stooped to see your screen. To reap the full benefits of your standing desk, you must be looking straight ahead at your screen.
- Always have the keyboard at elbow-level.
We hope that this blog has brought you closer to finding your dream desk. For more information about which desk to buy, have a read of the buyer’s guide on our website.