The Positive Side of Working at a Standing Desk
Standing desks soared into the spotlight after prominent studies came out noting how dangerous it was for office workers to stay inactive throughout the workday.
Just like open offices, the standing desk movement became a trend that still has momentum in 2018. And, just like open offices, standing desks have proponents and detractors.
We reached out to businesses across the country to find out what they thought about standing desks. In response, we received a lot of responses from managers and employees who offered their opinions about standing desks.
In this post and the next, we’ll reveal those opinions and our insight. This first post will highlight those who said they like standing desks. The next post will provide the perspective of those who tried standing desks and weren’t satisfied with the results.
“For my health and livelihood”
C.J. Comu, founder of water company Earthwater, said that he’s used a vertical desk for the past year. He’s read one too many articles detailing the health problems created by a sedentary work life and the standing desk was a practical solution for him.
“I find that it has not only helped me stay mobile, correct my posture and keep my blood flowing,” Comu said. “I like the liberty of flowing in and out of my office and I also tend to keep my correspondence to a minimum.”
“They are awesome.”
Dr. Sylvie Stacy, founder of physician career consulting site Look for Zebras, said she uses a convertible desk that allows her to change between sitting, standing and walking.
“I am a physician and I use one myself,” she said of her desk. “I love being able to change positions and get my body moving while I’m working since I spend so much time on the computer. They are awesome”
She said the key is to find a solid setup that will foster comfortability, something that cheap setups won’t offer. She also told us that her desk helps her focus, too, although it has more to do with moving around during the day than it does with actual standing versus sitting.
“I alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day, and I think the impact on my ability to focus is a result of the frequent change in position more so than the actual standing aspect,” she said. “I believe I could alternate between, say, sitting at a desk and sitting on the couch and maintain the same focus.”
We heard the same thing from Olivia Billet, marketing coordinator at Velo IT Group. Her adjustable desk is a catalyst for frequent movement.
“Sitting through the whole workday makes me feel tired and sluggish,” Billet. “I find I’m more active and alert when I’m standing, which is exactly what I need when 3:00 o’clock rolls around!”
“Reduced my back pain…”
If you don’t focus on your posture while sitting at your desk, you’ll find yourself hunching over. Using the wrong office chair can cause back pain, too.
For Tatiana Morand, content marketing and SEO coordinator at Wild Apricot, her standing desk provides a dual benefit. It keeps her fidgety tendencies at bay and, as someone with back problems, standing has strengthened her posture.
“I have a standing desk in my office, and I love it. As someone who’s naturally very fidgety, being able to stand up when I’m working on repetitive tasks helps me focus,” she said. “And, having the ability to alternate standing and sitting whenever I want has helped my posture and has drastically reduced my back pain.”
Customize your standing desks
There are multiple choices for standing desks. In fact, in this one post, there was mention of adjustable desks, standing desks and standing desks that can turn into walking desks.
In each of these situations, you’re dealing with either a stationary standing desk or an adjustable desk that will most likely be placed in a cubicle or an open office next to another co-worker. In these situations, the desk itself may be novel but the need for privacy is as time-honored as offices themselves.
Whether you’re at a standing desk or sitting at a traditional desk, we can provide privacy panels that we fit to your desk’s dimensions, protecting any sensitive information on your desk and reducing noise between your work area and that of your coworker’s.
Contact us to set up a consultation for your workplace or stop by our website to look at our privacy panel offerings.