Thursday, March 17, 2016

I got a standing desk at work last June.

I got a standing desk at work last June. I purchased it because I figured I could raise it up when I felt like taking a little break from sitting. I anticipated having it in the raised position maybe 10% of the time.

Well, I was completely wrong in my expectation about how I'd use it. Now, nine months later, the desk is in the raised position about 85% of the time. When I'm working by myself, it's almost always standing up. When I have meetings in my office, we all sit, so I lower it. There are also times when I'm doing something that requires ultra-intense concentration, and I will sometimes sit for that work. But, my colleagues often mention that they hardly ever see me sitting at my desk anymore. I've actually considered getting rid of my desk chair (I have an exercise ball that I could sit on if need be).

Two benefits I've experienced from standing up at work: First, I don't get the mid-afternoon sleepies any more. When standing, the 3pm head nods just don't happen. Second, my lower back gives me far fewer problems than it used to. Two years ago, I was routinely waking up in the morning with a sore back. Now, not so much. Sure, yes, it could also be that I've taken up taekwondo in the interim -- that's great for core strength -- but my experience suggests the standing desk is helping as well.

All told, I'm delighted with it. I really do hope everyone who does desk work for hours a day can try it out and see how their body reacts. I suspect a great many people will prefer it for much of their work time over sitting.

p.s., And yes, I realize I'm directly contradicting the article. I feel OK about that because, unlike many of the subjects, I actually do use my standing desk as such.
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/03/17/470713717/stand-to-work-if-you-like-but-dont-brag-about-its-benefits?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=plus.google.com&utm_medium=social

17 comments:

  1. I have one at work, but I don't use it because of my knees. Just about everyone else uses theirs, though.

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  2. Core strength definitely matters. I'm a fan of squats and deads in the mix as well.

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  3. I've had a standing desk for nearly 4 years now. Don't regret for a single day.

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  4. You forgot what's rule number one of standing desk club. Hint. It's the same as vegan club.

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  5. I have two questions:

    1.) You said that you purchased the desk. Did you also pay for it, or did your employer pay for it?

    2.) "The raised position." What does that mean?

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  6. Actually, fighting the nap time is not a win but a loss.
    Around 2-3pm, you should isolate yourself and leave it go if you feel sleepy. Nothing to be ashamed.

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  7. Olivier Malinur absolutely. Siesta helps

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  8. Patrik Hanson I chose to buy it from discretionary funds allocated to me by my employer, so both, I guess.

    It's an electric sit-stand desk, so you push a button and it moves up; push a different button and it moves down.

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  9. Olivier Malinur if I did that, I'd sleep until 8 or 9pm. I can't "nap"...I only sleep.

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  10. Craig Froehle - That is what I guessed. Thank you for the confirmation. ☺

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  11. Craig Froehle I thought the same until I hit central Argentina with midday temperatures of 45 degrees centigrade and an enforced siesta for all businesses from 1 to 4 pm. Now I'll nap just before big presentations, to reset my well-being levels and go in open to debate http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19645971

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  12. Craig Froehle, ah, a kindred spirit! I too find a normal person's view on proper nap length to be ridiculous. 10 minutes? 20? Pish! I don't even bother trying to nap unless I can be down for a minimum of 2 1/2 to 3 hours; less than that just guarantees I'll end up even more grumpy than before. My preferred nap length is 4-6 hours.

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  13. Jennifer Freeman a 2 hours nap is optimal if you really want to restore motor function and reasoning http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17878627 Sleeping 6 hours means you simply won't sleep at your normal bed time

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  14. Jennifer Freeman I've often felt like I was destined to live on a planet with a 30-hour day, as my body feels naturally inclined to be up for 20-22 hours and then sleep 8-10 hours.

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  15. I want a planet with a 13 hour day ... Up for 8-9 hours, sleep for 4-5. :-)

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  16. We had a couple of standing desks installed for editors who'd gone out with back issues, but that was part of their return-to-work agreement, and the company didn't want to do it.

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Now I'm doubly intrigued!

Now I'm doubly intrigued!