Workplace health has been a growing concern in recent years. The modernization and industrialization that took place globally has led to new occupations and jobs that require workers to be glued to their seats, their mind fast at work but their body immobile. In fact, sedentary jobs have grown by 83% since 1950.
And while this may have led to some of the best innovations the world today has seen, this has also created a big percentage of population that’s unhealthy, suffering from health conditions that weren’t as prevalent in the past.
Enter the standing desk, an ergonomic innovation designed for the modern workplace.
The standing desk takes your ordinary office desk to a whole new level, elevating it (literally and figuratively) to give users an opportunity to break free from their sedentary lifestyle even as they continue to perform the work that they need to do.
A height-adjustable standing desk transforms a sedentary day into a more active one, giving users an opportunity to alternate between sitting and standing so that they can stay active without disrupting their work schedule.
Setting the desk at the right height to optimize its use
The first thing to do once you have the standing desk all set up in place is to adjust it to the correct height—and this is easy to do. Electric standing desks come with a motor that powers them and a keypad that will allow you to set your desired height and save it, making it easy to move to the said height each time you need to.
The right desk height will keep your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle when you place your hands and arms on the desk surface. This angle will allow you to work comfortably without putting strain on your muscles and allow you to maintain proper standing posture as you perform your tasks.
Setting up your workstation: the accessories you need
Setting your stand-up desk to the correct height is the first step; the second one is to design the space on and around the standing desk to create an optimal workstation. Consider the following:
- Monitor positioning. How many monitors do you use? If you are using more than two, then you may need more space than the standing desk can offer. A set of monitor arms will help you elevate the monitor from your desk, allowing you to clear extra space on your desktop for all your other work equipment. In addition, installing a set of monitor arms will make monitor adjustment easy.
- Storage and organization. Keeping your space neat and tidy is key to a productive day. When you have a place for everything, this means you don’t waste time trying to find missing items, nor get distracted by clutter surrounding you. Find some way to organize your space with the use of filing cabinets, under desk storage, and shelves to give all your office equipment and supplies their own space.
- Cable management. In relation to above point, cables and wires are among the things you need to manage when using a standing desk. Most desks are equipped with cable management system, but depending on your specific needs, you may have to add cable sleeves and ties to keep things in order.
- Anti-fatigue mat. Adding standing time to your daily schedule will help you break free from a sedentary lifestyle, but developing this habit will take a bit of adjustment time. The use of an anti-fatigue mat can help ease you into this new lifestyle. The mat will absorb the strain and pressure caused by standing, so you won’t get easily tired and discouraged.
Finding the right standing desk for you
Now that we’ve talked about some of the basics, let’s close with the most important point—getting the right standing desk. You’ll find a lot of standing desk options available in the market, but how do you find the right one? Well, some of the things to consider will be the height range of the desk (which should accommodate your own height), the weight capacity (to make sure it can carry all your materials), the motor (brand, and whether dual or single), the frame (quality of material and construction), and the table top (the material it is made of and the size).
If you’re looking for good options that are budget friendly and high in quality, head over to MotionGrey, a leading provider of standing desks, adjustable office chairs, and ergonomic accessories.
Prioritize your health. Put your wellness on top. Invest in the right standing desk.
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