S Standing Desk!
We’re all familiar with the expression,
“I think better on my feet.”
I know I do, and believe many agree. Positively, speakers perform better when on their feet vs. sitting.
As stated, I agree, and made a decision to do something about it in my home office about month ago. I’m happy to report it is working nicely. Well enough, I decided, to write a Post about it!
Why?
I had a herniated disk in 2010. It was so painful I didn’t consider surgery to be elective! Fortunately, it was successful.
After that, I started thinking about how much time I spend at my desk, working with my computer, and other projects done while seated. I also noticed when I got on my feet after too much sitting, my legs and back hurt – really hurt!
I do much research and writing sitting on my butt – way too much I concluded. It added up to hours and hours and. . .
I decided it was time to do investigative work on Standing Desks. I knew Benjamin Franklin, Earnest Hemingway, Donald Rumsfeld, and others had used them and wanted to see whether one might be a fit for me.
Benefits
A number of studies have linked a sedentary lifestyle with greater health complications, including higher mortality rates. A study conducted by the American Cancer Society, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2010, looked at 123,216 individuals who had no risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke, or lung disease, and monitored their physical activity and time spent sitting over a 14-year period.
The findings suggested women who sat more than six hours a day were 37 percent more likely to die prematurely than women who sat just three hours a day. For men, the mortality rate was 18 percent higher for those who sat more than six hours a day, compared with sitting just three hours a day.
YIKES!
No Turning Back!
To get this into my office, I had to get rid of the nice desk already in place. The only way to accomplish that goal was piece-by-piece. Yes, it was one of those setups that were assembled in place and dis-assembling it was the quickest and easiest way to get it out of the way of my new setup.
My wife says I’ve turned my potential Man Cave into a Man Hole! (Oh well, someday I’ll get it correct!)
My Experience
So far, it’s been a mostly positive experience. After having been a “sitter” for years, “standing” for as long as I had been sitting, did not come easily and without pain. It made for some very restless night with my legs and feet screaming at me!
It’s been over a month now, and the experience has exceeded my expectations!
- The initial pain and suffering, from standing for a prolonged period, has subsided.
- The pain in my back and legs has been greatly reduced.
- I record the audio of each of my Posts. For me, standing and doing this is better than sitting and recording.
- I enjoy standing and working!
Tips
- Have a “Plan “B”. I purchased a couple fine stools that swivel and have backs on them. They look nice! Clients and I appreciate having them if standing gets tiresome.
- The hi-tech “comfort mat” was worth the investment! Don’t attempt this without one!
- Don’t stand in the same position continually. Switch the position of your feet, and distribution of weight, occasionally. I plan to get a foot stool to give my feet and legs another option.
The Specifics of my Standing Desk
- Table
- Hawthorne Pub Table – $199
- Shelf
- Stools
- Contemporary Boraam 29-Inch Augusta Swivel Bar Stool
2 @$192 each
- Contemporary Boraam 29-Inch Augusta Swivel Bar Stool
- Black Curtain and Tension rod to hide wires.
- Walmart – $10.96
- High Quality Comfort Mat
- Sublime Imprint Anti-Fatigue Nantucket Series Comfort Mat
26″ X 48″- $99.99
- Sublime Imprint Anti-Fatigue Nantucket Series Comfort Mat
- Total Investment – $703.31
One More Thing. . .
A friend, Mary Kutheis, Open Spaces, had a standing desk long before me. As part of my research, I checked with her to see whether it was still working out.
She replied, “Fred, I’m still loving the standing desk. The bar height comes in extra handy on Friday afternoons!”
I’ll drink to that!
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About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and the author of the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
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Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality, and we rather deal with Experts.
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Fred E. Miller
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10 Comments
Great post Fred! I’m glad the standing desk exceeded your expectations. Standing desks are also good for dealing with the extra energy from AD/HD and helping folks who process information kinesthetically to focus. I have to wonder why we don’t see more standing desks around.
Thanks for visiting and that comment, Denise.
Someone emailed me and said It is not only back pain but neck pain.
It has been shown that bending your head over the computer screen for long periods of time results in neck injury (the head weighs about 14 lbs.) and it also is affecting our posture. It even has a name “Computer Head.” Many people are walking around with their head forward from their spine due to this condition.
Fred,
Visiting family in Florida last week, I saw this treadmill desk and thought you might take your standing to the next level. Here’s a link to the image for it:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B002IYRBI0/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=3375251&s=sporting-goods
Enjoy!
Bill
That is cool, Bill!
I’m probably not coordinated enough to use it, but it looks like a great idea.
Thanks for sharing and the link!
Hi Fred,
I have a standing desk and have used one for as long as I’ve been a writer…a long time! I’m rather sad that locations such as Bread Companies, book stores and many libraries are removing tall tables from their locations.
For me, standing helps keep me focused on the task. Otherwise, I’ll be falling asleep in my seat while the cat keeps my legs toasty–and numb. My tall table keeps me happy and I have a stool so I can change foot positions from time to time. I have tried treadmill tables, but have found it too hard to concentrate on either task.
However, from a physiological ‘stand’ point (ha!), each of us must consider our skeletal and muscular frame. Some people do better standing while others are better off sitting. It all depends on our health histories. If someone is interested in trying both, still get the tall table but have a comfy, cushy seat to support the spine and the pelvis. Proper head, neck, shoulder, elbow and spine alignment are critical whether you sit or stand. (In a previous life I was an exercise physiologist!)
Kristen
Kris the Scribbler
Kristen,
Thanks for the additional pertinent information and taking time to comment.
Fred
By coincidence, the benefits fo standing and ill effects of sitting have been in the news lately:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/us-news-blog/2012/jul/10/scientists-sitting-is-bad-for-you?newsfeed=true
http://www.homeoffers.gr/
Thanks for the post Fred. I have a couple of friends who use the stand up desk and would never go back to sitting. I’ve been toying with giving it a try. I think you have confirmed what I’ve been thinking.
Suzette,
I just received an email from another reader who took the plunge and said, “No I cannot stand sitting!”
Thanks for taking time to comment!