5 things everyone gets wrong about standing desks

Or: This is why we can't have nice things.

In the previous post, we talked about how standing desks became a convenient gateway drug for getting people to talk about ergonomics. Now, let's talk about the fact that we might be using them wrong.

Some of the main benefits of standing desks include helping alleviate some of the negative effects of sitting all day and encouraging good habits. It’s been fantastic to see so many standing desk companies emerge and even more fantastic to see so many people trying them. But I have noticed some patterns in how people are using standing desks and there are some important things we are getting wrong.

Yes - the act of standing, itself, (versus sitting all day) is helpful. But it’s not enough.

When used incorrectly, at best, we’re not getting the full benefit of standing desks. And at worst, we could be breaking our bodies even more than sitting. 

Remember my early adopter friend who tried standing desks back before they were cool? He almost gave up on them because he wasn’t combining all the necessary pieces. And a lot of people I’ve talked to, who have tried standing desks, have actually stopped using them for these reasons. Don’t be like them. Follow along to be one of those smug people who uses a standing desk properly. 

1. Problem: Putting your laptop on a tall surface and hunching over it.
   It’s not just about the act of standing versus sitting - you’ve got to create different heights for your keyboard and your monitor. I see a lot of people using standing desks by propping their laptop on a tall table and working in a slouched position on a taller surface. This can actually hurt your neck and spine because you’re craning your neck down to see everything. And it can harm your hands and arms because you are straining your muscles to type. One of the big rules of proper ergonomics is to have your elbows at 90° and your head looking straight ahead at the monitor. This means you’ll need an external keyboard, plus multiple heights for your keyboard/mouse and monitor.
   
   Solution: Find or create a surface with multiple heights and put your monitor on a higher surface (eye level) than your keyboard. Get an external keyboard and mouse or trackpad if you are working from a laptop.

2. Problem: Forgetting about your feet and legs when using a standing desk.
   Since you will be standing for many hours, your feet and legs are now a focus of your habits. If you stand on a flat surface or in uncomfortable shoes, or even barefoot, all that puts pressure on your spine and can create new kinds of friction and injuries in the long run. Standing desks are best used while standing on a rubber mat, so that you can have a proper cushion.
   
   Solution: Get a rubber mat that you can stand on. Or – and this is my ultimate life hack of life hacks – wear rubber shoes. I wear my fancy Crocs while working (yes, that’s a thing), and it has saved my life. I will write more about the magical wonders of wearing Crocs while using a standing desk. But in the meantime, take my word for it. And let me know if you know anybody at Crocs so they can endorse me.

3. Problem: Standing like a tree and not moving around while working.
   Standing in one place is just as bad as sitting in one place. Movement matters - standing in one position all day is not that much better than sitting in one position all day. One of the benefits of standing desks is that it is very easy to move around to continually lubricate your spine. So just like you shouldn’t sit for hours at a time, you also shouldn’t stand in one position for hours at a time. Most people enjoy combination of alternating between sitting and standing.
   
   Solution: Use standing as an excuse to stretch your legs and feet. It also helps give you a reason to take little breaks every 30 minutes to an hour. My personal preference is dancing to Ella Fitzgerald’s swing music. One of the best benefits of working independently is that you are alone in a home office, and don’t have to worry about what other people might think. Or, you know, you can also dance while working in a coffee shop if you are feeling brave. Just make sure you keep moving.
   

4. Problem: Leaning on your elbows.
   Standing desks make it desirable to lean on your surface and tilt your spine to one side. Leaning on your elbows or standing leaning to one side while you stand creates an unnatural balance for your body. Resist the urge - you are not the Tower of Pisa! You need to be standing straight (or dancing, remember?).
   
   Solution: Just don’t do it. Don’t lean. That’s all – don’t lean. Don’t. Do your best Audrey Hepburn impression and stand up straight with your head pointing directly forward. It’s actually a lot more comfortable than you might think, because it’s how your body is naturally meant to be positioned. Or, if you’re tempted to lean, use it as an excuse to do a little stretch.
   

5. Problem: Thinking that it’s all-or-nothing using a standing desk.
   You don’t have to quit sitting cold cucumber (I can’t say “cold turkey” - I’m a vegetarian… also, turkeys are too close to ducks and well… who wants to trigger that mortality crisis?). The research is showing that the BEST use of standing desks is to alternate between standing and sitting. That way, you’re not putting too much pressure on your legs and you are giving yourself movement throughout your day.
   
   Solution: Start off standing in small chunks of time. Stand for 30 minutes every couple of hours. Then work your way up to standing for 30 minutes and sitting for 30 minutes. 

There you have it - the things to avoid while using a standing desk. In the next post, I’ll have a full summary of the ideal standing desk setup. In the meantime, got any other standing desk comfort hacks? Tell us about it in the comments.

And for duck’s sake, please take a minute to stretch.