Author: Cameron Summerson / Source: howtogeek.com
Standing desks are great. They’re arguably better for your health than sitting, have been known to increase productivity, and can improve focus. But you can’t just jump right into using one—there’s both a learning curve and a physical adjustment to go through.
Is a Standing Desk Really Worth It?
Let’s be real here: sitting too much is not good for your health, even if you exercise regularly. Studies like this one from Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews show that regular, long periods of sitting increases the risk of mortality from pretty much any cause, especially those associated with obesity and the myriad conditions that make up metabolic syndrome. And it goes on to show that “too much sitting is distinct from too little exercise.”
Other studies have shown that too much sitting can weaken your core muscles, which makes you slouch, and in turn cause postural problems that can be related to headaches, neck pain, and shoulder pain.
So how can you solve this issue when you work at a desk for a living? By switching to a standing desk. But here’s the thing: too much of anything is bad for you—this includes standing.
So while sitting all the time is bad for you, standing all the time is also not great. If you’re considering making the leap to standing desk, that’s why you should look at a sit/stand desk. That way you get the best of both worlds—you can sit when you’re tired, or stand when you need a change.
How to Make the Most of Your Time with a Standing Desk
Let me preface here with some details about my personal experience with standing desks.
I’ve been using a sit/stand desk for several years now, so this isn’t just a bunch of random “facts” I’ve read on the internet—nope, all of this is based on real-world usage and things I’ve learned throughout my time using a standing desk.Here are the things I discovered along the way.
You Don’t Have to Spend a Lot of Money to Get Started
When I first got interested in the idea of using a standing desk, I weighed all my options—I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on something I didn’t know if I’d even like! And if you’ve looked at standing desks, you know they’re not cheap.
That’s why I opted for a cheap, makeshift solution. I ended up spending about $25 on a cheap side table, a shelf, and a couple of brackets—basically this.
I put that setup atop my desk, and then put my laptop and external keyboard on it. The first day I…
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