Standing desks—they appear to be the most effective solution when it comes to putting an end to sedentary lifestyle, especially at work. By breaking prolonged sitting and giving office employees and workers an opportunity to stand more, standing desks are poised to convert offices from static and routinary to dynamic and versatile spaces.
However, before you can succeed in the use of a standing desk, you have to recognize the fact that the lifestyle shift is not easy. If you don’t have a strong will to create a positive change in your life, it’s easy to give up at the first sign of challenge. And we don’t want that, do we?
To help you achieve the biggest chance of success in using a standing desk, let us help you anticipate some of the common challenges you may encounter in the journey and help you prepare for them.
Addressing the Difficulties Associated with the Use of a Standing Desk
Check out the following possible challenges and the best way you can deal with them or avoid them altogether:
Fatigue
This is one of the first challenges experienced by many individuals who have made the shift to a sit-stand lifestyle, and the most common reason is the sudden jump from minimal muscle activity to a huge amount of muscle activity. The keyword is ‘sudden,’ so avoiding or addressing this challenge has to do more with the pacing.
So slow down and pace yourself. If you are in the early stages of the shift, start small. Stand for a few minutes, and then go back to sitting. As you immerse yourself more into the journey, you can start adding more minutes into each standing pocket in your day. You can also invest in ergonomic add-ons that will complement your standing desk, such as an anti-fatigue mat. This will provide extra support to your feet and legs to reduce fatigue.
Back Pain
You’d think back pain is one of the specific things the use of standing desk is addressing, and you are correct. However, there are times when you might also notice discomfort or pain in your back when you stand for a period of time. This might mean your standing posture is bad. Now, how do you correct that.
First, check what could be causing the poor posture. Is the height of the standing desk correct according to your height? If you set the desk too high or too low, then you might be unconsciously hunching over your desk and laptop when working. Or, you might be straining if the height is higher. So, the first thing to do is check that the height is correct. Once you’ve made the right height adjustment, then be more mindful of your posture. Don’t remain immobile when you are standing. Keep your feet moving by shifting your weight between each leg. This will keep the muscles engaged and your posture well.
Eye Strain
Think that your monitor has become weird since you started using a standing desk, and you notice your eyes easily tire now? Check the placement of the monitors. Is your monitor placed on your eye level? Is the angle correct?
If you find it challenging to get the correct monitor height placement and angle, try a set of monitor arms. These will give more flexibility to the positioning of your monitor, making it easy to adjust as needed. Correct monitor arm height and angle equal zero eye strain.
Cluttered Wires
The modern design of a standing desk gives the space surrounding it the feel of being dynamic, open, and minimalist. That is a good thing, but that also means every clutter you have cannot be concealed, and that is true with all the cables and wires that connect all the devices. Visual clutter can be overwhelming, and it can negatively affect your focus and productivity. So, what can you do?
Invest in cable management accessories. Try and find high-quality cable sleeves or tubes. And if your standing desk has a provision for it, you can install a cable tray. With the right add-ons, you can tidy up your space.
Insufficient Space for All Your Equipment
Do you have a lot of stuff that you use at work, and you feel that your desk is not enough to hold them? Do you find it challenging to arrange your space and put order to your things? A cluttered desk can be distracting, so make sure you organize properly.
The first step is to carefully do an inventory of your stuff and ask yourself whether you actually need to keep everything. Once you have made some steps towards decluttering, check whether all the remaining items really need to be on the desk. Can some of your items be stored in a filing cabinet instead? Another thing to check is if you need a bigger desk or a bigger table top. Consider upgrading if that is the case.
All of these challenges are normal and common among those who’ve made a positive lifestyle shift at work by deciding to stand more with the help of a standing desk. However, you don’t have to necessarily put up with them—there are steps you can take to make the sit-stand lifestyle more enjoyable and sustainable for you. Try the steps above, and don’t forget to invest in a good standing desk.
