My Experiences with a Stand Up Desk
In a previous post I complained about how much time I spend sitting at a desk (see The Price I Pay to be a Writer). All this sitting has negatively impacted my health; humans just aren’t designed to be on their arse so much. That is why a few weeks ago I began experimenting with a stand up desk. I now stand up all day instead of sitting and this has brought some huge improvements to my life.
The Inspiration for My Stand Up Desk
The inspiration for my stand up desk came to me while surfing the web. There was an article about this guy who had bought one. The idea appealed to me right away but when I researched the cost of this type of furniture it cooled my enthusiasm. Then I had the idea of making my own stand up desk. My version is made from boxes and a spare table;it doesn’t look very glamorous but it gets the job done.
North Valley Stream My Experience with the Stand Up Desk
Going from sitting down all day to standing up all day came as a bit of a shock to the system. For the first week I felt ready to drop by the end of the day, and it also triggered a dose of diarrhoea – at least I think that was the cause. By the second week though things got a lot easier and I know don’t even notice that I’m standing up. Here are a few of the benefits that I’ve found so far –
– Even though I felt tired in the beginning I now have a lot more energy throughout the day . My productivity has noticeably increased.
– I feel physically better and no longer worry that sitting down all the time is killing me. All those aches and pains that developed from prolonged sitting have disappeared.
– I can move about as I work and this has improved my fitness level.
– I am more productive in the afternoons.
– In the past when I felt stuck for ideas I would just stare at the screen. Now it is easy to just walk away from the computer for a few seconds and find inspirations.
– There is a greater sense of freedom because I’m not stuck in a chair.
The Drawbacks of the Stand Up Desk
I doubt that I’ll ever return to sitting at a desk all day, but there are some drawbacks to the stand up desk. In the evenings I feel knackered but I still have to stand up to use the computer. It is possible to purchase desks that can be easily altered for sitting down or standing up, but it is too much hassle for me to change my desk. This means that when I hit my bed at night it feels like I’ve been toiling in the rice fields all day.
A potential drawback of all this standing is that it could lead to varicose veins. This can be averted by moving around regularly; I’m naturally antsy so this shouldn’t be a problem for me. When I consider the health problems associated with sitting too much then varicose veins is a small price to pay. There is a lot of research that shows that too much sitting down does kill people.
My Conclusions about the Stand Up Desk
My only regret about the stand up desk is that I didn’t make the switch earlier. It would have meant that I avoided a lot of aches and pains over the previous 2 years. Still, I’m just happy to have found this solution now. I would recommend it to anyone who spends a lot of time sitting at the computer.
Update July 2012 I am still using my standing up desk
i might give it a try, maybe, after songkran, maybe
It could make all the difference Tom. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I don’t even notice I’m standing up any more.
Paul,
Won’t it eventuelly cause you problems with your feet and legs?
I’m not sure about that Mark. Plenty of people spend the day on their feet; this seems to be the way we were designed to function. So long as we don’t still all the timeit shouldn’t be a problem.
I’m reading into this – but that’s what I do Paul… You had a case of the roids. Hemmorhoids. They are wicked nasty and in the USA after sitting on my arse from 1998 to 2004 I also developed some “discomfort” down in that area. I just switched chairs and exercised more – and took frequent breaks to give my cooly a rest. It worked, but I like your idea too. Maybe a little bit of moderation is prescribed though. Sit for an hour, stand for 6, sit for an hour?
For me – I’ve been on the computer about 12-14 hours on average on days I work. I’m skirting with the same issue again… the Makro plastic chairs work wonders for some reason. You wouldn’t think so – but, they do very well for eliminating any arse problems. Recently I bought this nice padded, metal framed chair and for some reason my cooly hurts more.
Ok, just commisserating with you. I think I missssspelled that. Cheers Paul.
I’ve had to deal with haemorhoids in the past and it isn’t nice. I’m not sure why I don’t get them any more, but since giving up drinking 5 years ago they seem to have disappeared. I’m not sure how these 2 events are related but they do seem to be.
Hi Paul – Great idea! it’s amazing the furniture you can make with boxes. You might also find that a simple recording device that fits into your pocket or small bag can be taken anywhere and when ideas pop up just pull it out and start talking. You can purchase or get free voice recognition software that will transcribe your ideas.
Hi Dave, my desk is so simple and it didn’t cost me a penny. I’ll have to try some other DIY projects in the future. I tried the voice recognition software before, but these programmes seem to struggle with my Irish accent 🙂
I sit at a desk for most of the day as my first lesson isn’t until 4pm. It kills my back and so would standing for the same period. Maybe it’s time for me to retire (again)
Tom
Hi Tom Yam, it can be hard to find a solution for these problems. Standing works for me but I appreciate that it isn’t going to be the best option for everyone. I know from my time working as a nurse that you have to be extremely cautious with back problems.
How funny–a friend of mine was telling me just last week that I should think about rigging one of these up! Might give it a try now…
Hi Megan, I can’t remember any other change that has brought so many benefits for so little expense.
Painters stand when they create, so it is only natural for you to stand when you write. When I did watercolors I made it a point to stand, and when I sang with my class or played the flute we stood.
I’m glad you decided to give it a try. Since being in Thailand I have been using low tables sitting cross legged on the floor. I might have to try standing too. I would imagine it creates a different feeling and energy.
You are right Lani, it does create a different type of energy. I just free more natural and free when I write standing up.
Paul, very interesting Idea. When I worked as a project manager in construction I didn’t have an office but job sites so I would lug around my laptop to each job site and usually work off a stack of boxes while standing. I never thought about it but maybe this sitting thing is for the birds…I plan on giving this a try.
Hi Tim, my desk isn’t anything more complicated than a stack of boxes. I hope it works out well for you too.
Paul, I’m not sure how I feel about the ‘stand up’ desk. Visions of sore feet and lower back pains come to mind. I too spent hours at a desk, at my job and working from home, and found that adjusting my chair a fraction of an inch (up then down, then up etc.) made a huge difference. I could feel the relief instantly, but I would have to do this many time throughout the day.
I have used a sewing machine standing up and that wasn’t a problem, but it wasn’t for hours on end either.
Now I have been reduced to a couch and coffee table, so I alternate between leaning over the laptop and putting it my lap. I don’t have any of those wonderful plastic boxes/drawers on hand, but I suppose I could give it a go by setting up my works space on top of the small refrigerator 😉
Hi Snap, all I can say is that so far I’ve experienced no sore feet or lower back pain. A lot of research supports the idea of the standing desk, but it is probably not going to work for everyone. I hope you are having a nice Songkran.
Paul I suffer with back pains from time to time and being sat at a computer for long periods doesn’t help it and I’m sure standing up would. However I also have problems with my ankles and my left knee due to too many midfield battles during my footballing days. Weighing up my various problems I think sitting is probably better for me.
You must be used to standing after working for a few years as a nurse and I can see how it would be beneficial to hard core computer users. Personally I think a mixture of standing and sitting would be best.
….. “I’ve had to deal with haemorhoids in the past and it isn’t nice. I’m not sure why I don’t get them any more, but since giving up drinking 5 years ago they seem to have disappeared.”
I’ve always thought beer and especially cider (very acidic) can cause haemorhoids and so reading your comment I checked it out and found that Apple cider vinegar can apparently cure it. Here’s the link:
http://www.safe-hemorrhoid-treatment.com/apple-cider-vinegar.html
Hi Martyn, I think you have a point that a mixture of standing and sitting will be best for some people. I’m not sure about the cider cure. This was one of my favourite beverages and piles were one of the many curses of my drinking days 🙂
I am impressed by your idea. How many hours a day do you actually spend standing? I suppose it’s easy to walk around the room while thinking, rather than standing still.
Actually, it’s my understanding that hemorrhoids are a type of varicose vein, just in a different location. Also, having suffered from varicose veins in the past (and had them operated on) I learned that the tendency is often inherited. If you see any small ones start to develop (larger than spider veins)it is an easy matter to have them taken care of before they get any bigger. There is a technique call schlerotherapy (pronounced sklerotherapy–the French name, so they would probably know it in Thailand, too). They inject a compound right into the vein which causes it to shrivel up and disappear in about three weeks (which prevents it from developing into a varicose vein). If you are standing in one place a lot, you should be alert for swelling around your feet and ankles. If that should ever start to happen, you should pay attention to it, as that signifies a problem.
Hi Lynne, I could spend up to 14 hours a day standing now; usually more like 12. I do walk around a lot so I’m not standing still. I also have two exercise sessions a day and my Muay Thai lessons. I think you are right about trying to spot the signs of these problems early so that they can be nipped in the bud.
Interesting read. There’s a famous movie editor, Walter Murch, who is well known for standing when he edits his movies. http://designingsound.org/2009/10/octobers-featured-walter-murch/
Hi Greg, I heard there are quite a few high achievers who stand at their desk – not that I’m claiming to be one of them 🙂 Winston Churchill always worked this way apparently.
Hemmingway too…..
just started a stand up desk attachment (Ergotron workfit s) and feel much more alert but it takes getting used to. My feet do hurt but I am hoping they adapt over time. So far I love it.
I had sore feet for a few days but I did adapt. I don’t even notice that I’m standing anymore.
Nice idea. I’ve always wondered whether I should do this. In my last job in customer service for more than 10 years I stood behind a desk at a computer. I really liked it and rarely felt tired. I sometimes worked long hours, and your right, at the end of the day I felt like i had put in a good days work. I think so long as you are not hunched over it can really work well, and keep moving around. I seem to remember my dad stood at a drawing board for 25 years (not in one go) and didn’t like standing, but I think his was a bit more intense than a keyboard.
Hi Paul, I think you are right about avoiding hunching over the keyboard – that could lead to all sort of problems I bet. I do feel more energised due to standing.
When I read your article, at first, I though of laughing. I mean, what would that stand up desk would do to you but when I fully read the article, I quite get it why you have to do it. I might just as well try that stand up desk, I think it’ll work on me. Thanks for sharing such experience though.
The stand up desk has worked well for me – do give it a try.
Hi, Paul. Are you still standing at your desk? I’ve done it twice for a few weeks at a time, but so far I’ve reverted back to sitting both times. I’d like to try for a more permanent change. Some other bloggers I’ve read about eventually feel pain in their feet and anxious to sit down after several weeks, which is similar to my experience. Is that the case for you, or do you feel you’ve made the permanent transformation?
Hi David, I’m still using the standing desk most of the time. It was tough in June because I was going to two Muay Thai sessions every day. I tend to sit for about an hour during the day and spend the rest of the time standing. In the evenings I sit if I’m using the computer.
Hi Paul, I was just searching for standing desks and came across this. Can I ask what the name of the thing elevating your monitor is, and where I can buy one? (In Ireland or online).
Also, have you seen the infographic “Sitting down is killing you?”. Scary stuff: http://dailyinfographic.com/sitting-down-is-killing-you-infographic
Hi Barry, it is just a small table that I bought here in Thailand. It only cost the equivalent of about 5 euro.
The dangers of sitting down are worrying for sure.
Wow .. I never knew that before. I’m one of those who spend all day in front of the computer too and it just kills my back and shoulders. I have no idea if anybody could stand and typing or writing instead of sitting.
Although I used to work in the hotel which means we have to stand up all day long but we still have to sneak out and find some time to sit and it kills my legs too : (
Hi Supalux, I don’t really notice that I’m standing anymore – after a few weeks it feels natural.