Standing Desks

You know the people who get hooked on fad diets or fad workouts or some stupid super-food? And they won't shut up about it? You know...the people always breathlessly interjecting about how you just have to try the latest sweat-lodge-kettle-bell workout...but not until you've slammed a Greek-yogurt-quinoa-and-pomegranate-seed smoothie?

I'm turning into one of those people...except my zealous crusade is to promote the wonders of the standing desk.

You guys!

[breathless interjecting]

You have to figure out a way to convert your crappy sitting desk into a life-altering standing desk!

(Gasp! Gasp! Gasp!)

It's the best thing ever!

(Gasp! Gasp! Gasp!)

It will change your life!

[passes out]

I don't stand the entire day. Sometimes I get antsy and start pacing too much. Sometimes I find it hard to concentrate if I'm trying to generate lengthy swaths of original content for letters or reports or whatever. And sometime I'm just tired and I don't feel like it.

But for responding to email and the general coordination of garden-variety tasks...it's the best! It's a great way to kick off the day...or to fight the post-lunch sluggishness...or to finish the day on a strong note. I completely love it. I feel more productive and less likely to drift off and lose focus. I feel more alert and awake...and I often catch myself dancing along to whatever is playing on my iPod or The Current.

Here's the other thing we're learning (and probably should have known): sitting is awful for us. And standing just a little makes a big difference. I noticed it right away...physically, I felt fantastic...it makes such a difference in how my body feels every day. Especially when I feel tired. The days when I think I'm too tired to stand? Those are the days when it helps the most.

So once you finish reading this, see what you can do to elevate your workstation.

It doesn't have to be anything particularly sophisticated (real standing desks cost thousands of dollars...likely not going to happen in many of our workplaces), and let's face it, anything is better than nothing. While it would be ideal to have one of the desks that can be adjusted with the touch of a button, I rarely have to switch from standing to sitting (or back again) with any sort of expediency. So I took a couple old textbooks and elevated my monitor (I can still slide the screen higher when I'm standing)...and then I set my keyboard and mouse (and To-Do list, etc.) on old paper boxes. It's not fancy, but wow is it fabulous!

I hope you'll give it a try in your own office...try it for fun...try it for your health...just promise me you'll try it. I'll be excited to know what you think!