I’m a big advocate for standing while working. Once you embrace a standing desk you’ll find sitting all day unappealing.
However, while the trend is growing more popular, I appreciate that many people may not get a standing desk because of the effort and cost involved. So here are a few thoughts to help you consider trying it.
First, the benefits of standing at a desk go beyond your health. I personally love standing while working because it puts me in such a positive state. This is important because to adopt a new behaviour, it helps to enjoy it.
If you want to try standing while working, you don’t need to purchase a standing desk to start with. You can easily create a make-shift standing desk with boxes or textbooks. The top of your monitor should be raised to just below eye level, and your keyboard should sit where your elbows are at right angles.
It’s easier to start standing at your desk at home than at your workplace, as you may feel hesitant about trying it around your colleagues. If you only use a laptop at home, connect a desktop mouse and keyboard to your laptop to give you a feel of the new position.
When you first try standing, you may enjoy the feeling but find it becomes tiring quickly (remember, this is a new behaviour your body is learning). When you get a standing desk, you actually alternate between standing and sitting, so don’t feel like you need to stand all the time.
If you’re then keen to get a standing desk, you may be put off by the price. A good standing desk is a few hundred dollars, but they are getting cheaper and better. You should ask your employer to cover the cost of the desk, and if that’s not possible, you should be able to claim a tax deduction for it. I’ve been using a standing desk for many years and the value I’ve gained has definitely covered the cost.
Give it a try and see how it goes!
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