As you would expect, a standing desk is a workstation that allows you to conduct the duties of your normal day in the office—working on your computer, talking on your phone and everything else you usually do at a desk—but while standing up instead of sitting. Benefits that some employees using a standing desk experience include reduced stress and fatigue as well as improved mood and energy levels, contributing to increased productivity. Another reason many employees and employers cite for switching to standup desks is the possible detrimental health effects associated with sitting for long periods of time without significant movement. This may include neck and back pain, among other ailments.

One solution is a standing desk that allows you to stand while you work. Another option is to use a standing desk converter that sits on top of a traditional work desk surface, and lets you raise the platform as needed for working while standing. With this option, you can choose to alternate sitting and standing as you wish.

Along with switching to a stand-up desk design, you may also want to evaluate other aspects of your office setup to be certain your work space is designed to encourage productivity. For instance, when you’re working standing up, is the lighting still adequate? Or do you need a new desk lamp, perhaps one that adjusts to provide ample light specifically where you need it? Other work space components you might also want to evaluate include chairs for guests, positioning of bulletin boards, shelving location, and even the decorations that can spice up an otherwise bland area and lighten your mood.  

Once you’ve made the decision to stand for at least part of each workday, you may want to consider a couple of ways to help maximize ergonomic benefits. First, when you’re using either an adjustable standing desk or a standup desk converter, you’ll want to make sure the work surface and computer screens are properly adjusted for your comfort. For many, that means the top of the monitor is at eye level, and the desktop is approximately at elbow height.

You may also want to consider desk accessories that promote comfortable, non-tiring ways of performing your work functions. An ergonomic keyboard is designed to help you type comfortably, while encouraging good hand and wrist posture, and a keyboard tray adjusts to the optimal position to provide maximum comfort and wrist health. Some tray models include an adjustable mouse pad you can use with an ergonomic mouse for a flexible range of motion that can contribute to relaxed use and natural positioning. You’ll likely also want to wear comfortable shoes, as dressier shoes like high heels may not pair well with using a standing desk or a sit-stand desk converter.