How to Sit at a Standing Desk

If you follow the Xdesk blog or own an adjustable height desk, you know the negative effect that sitting has on your health. But to remind you once more, prolonged sitting increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity. And the worst part is that exercise after work isn’t enough to lower the risk.

But with all the negative talk about sitting, people forget that standing all day isn’t ideal either. Too much standing can cause varicose veins, swollen feet and joint damage. For this reason, it’s not about picking sides between sitting and standing. It’s about finding a balance between the two.

Adjustable height desks like Xdesk combat this problem by encouraging more movement in the workplace between different positions. So when you’re ready to sit down and think, you have the freedom to do so with the touch of a button.

But before you take a seat, there is a right and wrong way to sit at a standing desk.

Of course, the most important thing to consider when you sit at a standing desk is posture. Improper posture can cause a horde of problems, including back, neck and knee pain. For the moments when you do sit at an adjustable height desk, invest in an office chair with lumbar support.

Your spine curves naturally, and your office chair should support the natural bone structure accordingly. Proper lumbar support when you sit at a standing desk will greatly reduce the risk of back and shoulder pain later on.

When you sit at a standing desk, sit close to the keyboard. Even better, if you have an adjustable keyboard tray, position it so it’s directly in front of your body, but low enough so your shoulders and elbows are in an open, relaxed position. Your wrists and hands should be straight and not curved up or down. A wrist wrest on your adjustable height desk will keep your hands in a natural position and provide added support.

Place your hips at the back of the chair while you sit at a standing desk, and adjust the height so your feet are able to rest flat on the floor. The knees should be slightly lower than your hips, to help you sit up tall. An angle between 100 and 110 Degrees is recommended for your back.

The monitor at your adjustable height desk should be centered directly in front of you, so you don’t have to strain or stress your neck. The neck should be in a relaxed position. When you are sitting at a standing desk, sit at least an arm’s length away from the screen. If you suffer from eyestrain, check out how to avoid it during the workday, HERE.

Don’t stay in your seat too long, remember, it’s all about balance! So if you start to feel sluggish or begin to slouch, stand up and stand tall. If you own an adjustable height desk, how have you made the transition from sitting to standing most of the day?