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Last Updated on March 2, 2019 by Work In My Pajamas
So, you’ve made the switch from a traditional desk to an ergonomic standing/sitting desk, congratulations! These are a wonderful, healthy innovation to the office world. But you might not have everything you need to take full advantage of your workstation. Here’s a few ideas for things you didn’t know you couldn’t live without.
In This Post:
Anti-Fatigue Mat
Even though you won’t be standing the entire time at your desk, you will be standing enough that your feet may start to feel the strain. A good anti-fatigue mat can help. They are relatively thin, most are easy to clean, and the aren’t that expensive. The one downside to them is you really need to move them out of the way before switching to sitting at your desk. One alternative for this is installing carpeting with a cushion backing. This may be out of reach in a corporate office, but small businesses or home offices might be able to make this happen.
Shoes
Yes, you already have the mat purchased, why shoes as well? Because comfortable, supportive shoes can help your posture and fit your foot better than just a pad. Yes, you probably need the extra cushioning from a pad if you are standing twenty minutes at a time, but the proper shoes will make this even easier and more comfortable. Do both. Think of it like a belt and suspenders. Total coverage.
Step stool, Footrest, or Foam roller
The point here is to have something that lets you vary your position without walking away from your desk. Putting one foot up for a few minutes, then the other, gives you that bit of movement your body needs. The different alternatives have some extra good points, too. A step stool is probably the tallest, so it gives a much different stance than just lifting your foot a few inches.
It’s just a matter of preference, but if you feel more comfortable with a noticeable bend in your knee as you stand, this is the way to go. A footrest is typically much shorter and can be used with your chair as you sit to give your feet a bit of a lift. Foam rollers… roll. Mostly used for massage, you can roll your foot back and forth across it, giving you some activity and a bit of a massage on your foot at the same time.
Exercise Equipment
With the extra space provided by a standing desk, you can fit a lot more underneath. And since you are standing already, you can take advantage and get some exercise. The most common thought for this is a treadmill. There are even treadmill desks sold as a single unit, but you can also purchase under-desk treadmills designed for standing desks. A less common option is a bicycle trainer, where your rear wheel is lifted, and you can pedal as you work. There is even a mini elliptical trainer available which fits easily at your desk and allows you to work out as you work. Smooth!
Extra Storage Trays or Drawers
One thing standing desks can make you aware of is how little room there is up there. If you find yourself running out of space or having too many small items falling off the edges, take a look at some of the trays and drawers designed to be added under the surface just for adjustable desks.
Tablet, Laptop, Monitor mounts
While you are thinking about room on your desk, also think about how much room monitors take up. Or, if you use a laptop, how much space both your laptop and that ergonomic keyboard takes. Mounts for lifting monitors, laptops, and even tablets off the desk and positioning them at the proper height for viewing can solve two problems as once, giving you back space while adding that last touch of ergonomic design.
CPU holder
If you have your computer on the floor next to your desk, you might have noticed how much the cords have to stretch to reach in the standing desk configuration. Or you may have had a mishap the first time you tried it and pulled something off or tipped something over.
If the solution was to put your computer on your desk, well, space is now at a premium. An alternative is a CPU holder attached under your desk. Some even feature a pull out or a swivel to make accessing your cables easier.
Privacy Screens
Having some employees standing might give the impression of them looming over sitting employees. And bringing computer monitors up to eye level for people walking by might cause some worry about privacy. Separating desks with privacy screens can help this, as can screen guards on monitors. This may be a requirement in departments like human resources.
Noise Reduction
Having people standing and shifting around as they work can create a bit more ambient noise in an office. And motorized desks, no matter how quiet, still make some noise as they are adjusted. If that’s every twenty minutes as ergonomics experts suggest it can become somewhat disruptive in a quiet office.
Some thought given to carpeting, upholstered furniture and other sound dampening aspects of your office can help here. Another way to approach the problem is by generating white noise or some other sound masking ambient noise. It isn’t quieter, but does reduce the disruption caused by more transient noises.
Chairs
As you won’t be standing the entire time, a chair for sitting is necessary as well. You might also consider a stand-up chair that allows you to be in a standing position, but with some support to lean against. The price range varies for these so be sure to budget for an office chair that best fits you.
Timer
A final thought is to have a timer available. The recommended use of a standing and sitting desk is to alternate every twenty minutes. Set a timer to remind you to switch. That allows you to concentrate on your work for the rest of the time.
Once again, congratulations on making the healthy, ergonomic choice of using a standing and sitting desk. Hopefully you will find the essential extras to make it even better this year.
