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W I N T E R 2 0 1 7
5 Tips for
Working at a
Stand-up Desk
If you’re considering making the
transition to a standing desk, here are
some success tips to keep in mind:
1. Start slow.
Don’t try to go from
eight hours of sitting to zero
overnight. Aim to sit just three
of your waking hours each day.
So start with just 20 minutes at a
time at your standing desk, then
add on time as you get used to
the setup.
2. Use a mat.
Take it easy on your
knees, hips, and ankles by using a
gel mat where you plan to stand.
3. Get your work done.
You may
be most productive if you toggle
between standing and sitting
depending on the work activity,
such as standing for phone calls
and sitting for complex projects.
4. Set it up correctly.
Your com-
puter screen should sit 15 to 30
inches from your eyes, with your
eye level even with (or slightly
below) your screen. Keep your
wrists flat and your elbows at a
90-degree angle.
5. Wear comfortable shoes.
Make
sure they’re cushioned and provide
adequate support for your feet.
S
it down and get to work.”You probably remember teachers saying that during your
school years. But was it the best advice? Some research suggests that long periods of
constant sitting inhibit circulation and flexibility, decrease attentiveness, and slow
the body’s calorie-burning mechanisms. It’s even been dubbed the Sitting Disease. The
50 or more hours spent sitting each week are now a hot topic for medical experts inter-
ested in inactivity physiology, and now some experts say there are links between sitting
and obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
This information has led more companies to offer employees the option of working at a
standing desk. The idea isn't new; history features many prominent standing desk users
including Thomas Jefferson, Ernest Hemingway, and Winston Churchill. However, the
trend is catching on as more people experience the health and productivity benefits of
working while standing.
A case in point: Some Madison employees have recently begun using a standing desk,
including Tonya, Customer Care Specialist. She notes, “It gives me relief from my back
pain to stand instead of sit all day.”
Even if you don’t want to invest in standing desks at your company, there are other ways
to incorporate more standing into the workday:
•
Stand up while talking on the phone.
Doing so helps many people stay alert and
adds energy to their voices—particularly useful during sales calls.
•
Have stand-up meetings.
It’s almost guaranteed that these meetings will take less
time; when standing, people tend to get to the point more quickly.
•
Take regular activity breaks.
It can be as simple as getting up every hour for a five-
minute walk around the hallway or a few trips up and down the stairs.
The bottom line (pun intended) is this: Employees who are more sedentary have been
found to be less productive. Is it time for your company to stand up and take notice?
“
Stand Up
for Health and
Productivity
Sitting less during the
workday can result in
significant benefits
Tonya, Customer Care Specialist