They named the benefits of using a standing desk, what to look for when investing in one and how they came to the conclusion that Terra was the best. But one claim stood out beyond the others:

Terra desks are beautiful.

Wirecutter said other desks were practical, but beyond that they provided little else.  Some were made from quality materials, but the overall appeal paled in comparison to Terra.

“Last year I recommended this as the best desk to daydream about,” Wirecutter said. “And even though it costs more, it is actually a great value.”

And there you have it – quality,  beauty and value all in one. We were flattered that Terra was dreamed about.

Workers generally spend a great amount of time at their desks, which is why the appeal factor stood out the most. It’s important to maintain pleasant aesthetics in a work space, and you see businesses all over creating a homier environment for their employees.

The “work hard, play hard” mentality is spreading, and employees are reaping the benefits if the work space feels more enjoyable.

If workers are more comfortable, it leads to greater satisfaction when a job is done, increased interaction to form a stronger team, and workers want to be there. And at the end of the day, that’s better for business.

We appreciate Wirecutter’s praise and thorough research they took to come to their conclusion of naming the Terra desk the best standing desk out there.

What do you love about the Terra desk?

The post Wirecutter Names Terra the Best Standing Desk appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

You know the habits that can creep in during a long work day – daydreaming about lunch, staring at the computer screen or browsing the web while that report remains unwritten. Sitting in one position all day can have a negative effect on a person’s mood and cloud the mind.

Luckily, if you own a standing desk, adjusting your position can get you out of a rut.

Lifehacker shared the psychological benefits of standing desks and how they help keep your mind moving throughout the day.

“Something about standing keeps me more engaged,” Ben from Pitch Dreams says. “My mind wanders less and for some reason I feel a bit more energized at work.”

He summarizes scientific research from Amy Cuddy, author of the TED talk, Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are (& how to create confidence and influence out of thin air).

Standing in specific “power poses” produces more testosterone that changes the body’s physiology and increases focus. Working at a standing desk naturally positions you into these certain poses, which subconsciously leads to better productivity.

Standing increases blood circulation, and we know what that means: more oxygen getting to the brain, which in turns revitalizes a person to see their mundane work tasks in a new light. Try standing most of the day and feel the brain cells spark and the creativity flow.

via LifeHacker

The post The Psychological Benefits of Standing appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Perform these yoga positions behind your standing desk to keep moving and increase blood flow.

If you’ve been paying attention, you know very well how good for you standing desks and adjustable height desks can be. They can improve your posture, your energy, your weight, your back comfort and your health overall… The list goes on and on.

That being said, standing desks can be a bit difficult to get used to, after spending years sitting down at your desk job. I know when I first started standing, it took a while to work my way up to standing most of the day (which is why my adjustable height desk was so helpful—I could alternate until I was used to it!).

But for those of you who don’t have an adjustable height desk like the Terra model to alternate between sitting and standing, I have for you another option: Yoga.

Yoga is wonderful for you for so many reasons, but remember, you don’t need to restrict your yoga practice to the studio or your after-work-hours.

Here is a simple 3-step yoga sequence that will help get your blood flowing and keep your legs from being fatigued when you’re trying to get used to standing at the office:

1) Begin with a combination of Mountain Pose (tadasana) followed by Standing Half Moon (ardha chandrasana), a side bending pose.

2) Move to Tree (vrksasana) on each side and then into Mountain Pose with arms over head (urdhva hastasana).

3) Interlace fingers behind back and fold forward (Yoga mudra), and finish with a Standing Forward Fold with an easy twist: One hand on the earth (under the face) other hand extended to sky. End in Mountain Pose.

4) Add a revolved chair pose to extend the routine.

*If you need a visual guide to these poses, click here.

All of these yoga positions will not only loosen you up, stretch you out, and get the blood flowing, but also help you pay attention to your posture throughout the day.

If you start to get uncomfortable behind your standing desk, or even just stressed out from a day at work, take a few minutes to run through this easy sequence. You will feel energized, looser, and de-stressed—all from the comfort of your standing desk.

Do you have any tips for transitioning to using a standing desk? Share your thoughts below!

The post Yoga Behind your Standing Desk appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Not only do these standing desks make workers healthier, they also make them more productive.

Lucky for me, my office is one of those aforementioned companies hopping on the health bandwagon and providing adjustable height desks for the employees. And as I may have mentioned in a post before, I have grown just a little bit… well, spoiled with my Xdesk.

I love the ease with which it shifts to my every position—sitting, standing, somewhere in between. I love that it moves so quietly, so smoothly—I don’t even have to pause in my work or move my cup of tea. And I love the way it makes me feel throughout the day and long after—I have more energy, I feel healthier, and I don’t feel like I’ve just been sitting around all day.

Of course the first thing I did when I got home from using my adjustable height desk for the first time was to try and recreate it. Of course this “standing desk” is only as adjustable as removing the chair from atop the table and sitting down in it, instead of placing my computer on top of it (see photo…), but it is at least better than sitting down all day to work.

After I made this “homemade” standing desk for when I’m not in the office, I got to thinking—what have other people created in their own homes? After just a bit of Googling, I quickly realized that my makeshift standing desk was small beans compared to some of the other, more carefully crafted, homemade projects out there.

Have you created your own standing desk? Tell us how you like it!

The post Get Creative with your Standing Desk appeared first on Xdesk Blog.