If you recently started using your standing desk and are experiencing slight pain or discomfort, well this blog could help you identify what you might be doing wrong at your desk. We understand that it does take some time getting used to an electric standing desk in order to gain from all the benefits it offers. But how could you know that you’re using your standing desk wrong? In today's blog, we will shed some light on this as well as on how to use a standing desk properly.
Here's highlighting 15 common mistakes you might be making while using your standing desk.
1. CHOOSING AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH/LOW TABLE
So, how to use a standing desk if its height doesn’t fit your body height that well? You can achieve the most comfortable standing desk posture by regulating the table’s height. However, if you want to sit the right way, your feet must be placed perpendicular to the floor. That’s why for proper standing desk posture, you need to choose models by trying them out individually, keeping in mind that all of them can be regulated in height. Review wonderful height-adjustable desk solutions with easy-to-use table mount remotes for momentary height regulation.
2. PLACING A MONITOR PROPERLY
A PC monitor that is situated too close or too far from the user can be yet another reason for discomfort in working at a standing desk meant for back pain relief in the first place. An optimal distance in this matter is 500-700 mm, with the monitor leaning 10-20 degrees back so that both of your eyes perceive the image at the same distance. Read our blog to know how to situate your standing desk monitor.
3. NOT ALTERNATING BETWEEN SITTING AND STANDING
As much as your work desk may be comfortable and cozy, you should stand up and stretch or take a walk from time to time. Otherwise, you may risk disrupting blood flow circulation in your body, which can lead to a number of unwanted health issues.
4. STANDING ON A HARD SURFACE
Standing for extended periods of time on a hard floor is not very comfortable on your feet and can create added pressure on your knees. You can solve these issues by using a special shock-absorbing standing desk mat to help fix the table in place.
5. YOUR FOREARMS ARE CONSTANTLY HANGING
Make sure that your forearms get enough support while standing or sitting. Ensure that your forearm and your wrist get enough support and is not hanging from your desk. If not done correctly, your arms will get tired quickly as well as the rest of the body, leading to chronic standing desk neck pain and all sorts of nasty discomforts.
6. DO YOU USE FITTING FOR WIRES?
An ultimate solution to stop jerking your hardware connections and creating risks for your PC is the fitting for wires. There are plenty of those available online and they will save you tons of nerves and hardware health.
7. FRAGILE TABLETOP
Getting a table with a glass top is a fashion fad that is really impractical. It's pretty nice-looking, but you sacrifice a lot of functionality by going the ‘trendy way’ in such a situation. You can either do that and get ready to witness scratches and fingerprints galore or buy a table with a firm, opaque top. Wooden tabletops make for a perfect top for your standing desk.
8. ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF YOUR TABLE ALL THE TIME
Constantly adjusting the height of your table is not a good practice. It is important to understand how to measure the ideal height of your desk and screen. Read our blog on how to determine the ideal standing desk height to learn more. If pain and discomfort still persist after following the guidelines then it would best to consider buying a new standing desk from a reputed manufacturer.
9. STANDING IN THE WRONG POSTURE
How to properly stand at a standing desk? That’s an individual question that is worth being looked up and researched. Take your time to go through professional recommendations for your particular case.
10. ADJUSTING A FOOTREST
Make sure you pay attention to the footrest of your standing table, as it’s one of its essential comfort-creating parts. Now that’s where you need to check everything in person, not via an online store, so that you can see how comfortable particular models are.
11. UNCOMFORTABLE FOOTWEAR
Uncomfortable, chafing shoes can cause severe discomfort while using your standing desk. Take care of only wearing the shoes your feet feel most comfortable in. Read more about the right shoe inserts you can use for standing all day.
12. WRONG LIGHTING
A randomly placed source of lighting makes you squirm around and change your position into harmful shapes provoking lower back pains at a standing desk. This is a straight way to twist one’s vertebrae up and should be taken heed of.
13. UNORGANIZED & UNTIDY DESK
It isn’t healthy when there’s chaos on your desk or you simply don’t have a lot of room to distribute all your necessary things. You can pick a model of the desk with separate sections for keyboard and such.
14. VERY LIGHT DESK
Utterly light desks tend to shift while being used. This causes a lot of distraction making you focus on handling using a standing desk straight rather than on tasks and responsibilities.
15. THE LOCATION OF THE DESK
Last but not least among the highlighted problems with a standing desk is the position of the table in the room. We’re not talking about feng shui techniques here, but at least place your table so that your back, while you’re sitting behind it, doesn’t face the door. Otherwise, you’ll be going through a lot of stress with everybody always checking out your monitor’s contents and even may risk getting standing desk-caused lower back pain.
FAQs
- How to properly use a stand-up desk?
The most critical thing when using a standing desk is to set its proper height. Check this article to learn how to choose the right height for your adjustable desk.
- What are some of the problems with a standing desk?
There may be some problems you may face when using a standing desk. We compiled possible standing desk issues and instructions how to fix them in a detailed guide.
WRAPPING UP
A standing desk may become an indispensable piece of equipment, boosting your productivity and well-being. You should just learn how to make the most of it, and the result will be no long in coming. If you are interested in standing desks and want to learn more about them, or if you have some problems with a standing desk you purchased with us, feel free to reach out!
