Small Steps to a Healthier Workspace

We've all heard of standing desks by now, but how many of us have actually made the transition?  Reports on the health risk of sitting are published daily, only to be drowned out by the comfort of our chairs.  Excuses such as: "I'd get too tired", "I already go to the gym", or "My coworkers will think I'm weird" are easy to make, but they don't make the damage go away.  Multiple studies are starting to show that prolonged sitting can cause detrimental problems to the human body.  This is because our bodies were designed to move, not sit.  Here's a good visualization of what sedentary lifestyle could lead to (from Disney's Wall-E):

The future's bright, just not very mobile

So we know sitting is bad for us, but some of us are still not making the change.  Commitment to change is hard and it's easy to avoid through excuses and denial.  We come across these types of commitments when we start a diet or join a gym.  The initial step is hard, but if we do it in small doses, it gets gradually easier. 

The Electric Table by Symmetry

The same idea can be applied when you're making the transition from a chair to stand up desk.  Don't quit sitting cold turkey.  Instead, take small steps to increase mobility throughout your work day.  Get up from your seat more often for breaks or just for a small stretch.  Do this more and more until you feel that you're ready for all day standing.

Adjustable tables are now available from manufacturers such as Symmetry or ESI (Ergonomic Solutions).   These are great if you're planning on doing standing work for half the day or 2-3 days out of the week.  It's an easy way to transition to an all day standing desk.

Of course, budget may be issue, but don't let that be an obstacle.  Instead use this opportunity to get creative! For inspiration take a look at some of the standing desks that members at Lifehacker.com have put together.

For more tips and information see this brochure by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACMS): Reducing Sedentary Behaviors: Sitting Less and Moving More