I recently wrote an article titled, Standing Desk Posture Tips. While writing it, I realized that going from a sitting posture workstation to a standing desk only requires 3 accessories. These accessories will also allow alternating between sitting and standing. Because we don’t want to go from sitting posture all day, straight to standing posture all day. We’d just have different computer-related injuries.
Sitting at a computer isn’t the enemy here. Working in the same position for 8 hours a day is the enemy we want to avoid. This is why poor computer posture creates so much muscle tension and chronic pain. Repetitive strain and overuse injuries don’t care what position we are working in. They care about how long we continue to work in that same compromised, vulnerable position.
We don’t want to sit, or stand, for long periods of time. Even if it is proper standing posture. I like to switch positions often, alternating sitting and standing posture. I’m dedicating this article to the 3 standing desk accessories that make a sit-stand desk transition quick and easy.
This article is not professional medical advice. It’s based off my personal experience and opinions. Years of poor computer posture caused muscle tension and chronic pain for me. All the ergonomic tips I write about are directly related to improving your posture at a computer. Do your research. Make good decisions. And be the best advocate possible for your own healthcare.
Standing Desk Accessories
Quick disclosure, there’s no paid promotion in this article. I’m not compensated by any companies I mention in this article. I paid my own money for these 3 standing desk accessories. I enjoy sharing products with my readers that have healed and prevented my computer-related pain.
Height-adjustable desk
A height-adjustable desk is the most valuable standing desk accessory in my opinion. It’s important for me to work in both a sitting posture and standing posture. I’ll switch back and forth from these positions multiple times a day.
External monitor
One of my most important variables for neck strain prevention is to keep your eye level at the top of your monitor screen. This is pretty much impossible to do when working from a laptop monitor screen. I got my external monitor for about $150 from Best Buy. They had cheaper options, but those were smaller. I wanted an extended monitor screen big enough to keep 2 windows open simultaneously. This helps increase my work productivity.
Anti-fatigue mat
An anti-fatigue mat is the last of my 3 standing desk accessories. When I started working in an ergonomic standing position, I didn’t use an anti-fatigue mat. I was standing on a hard, tile floor. It only took a few weeks for me to develop knee pain. Our feet are very durable and tough. Sometimes, it’s a good health benefit to stand barefoot. But just like any other body part, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. That’s what happened to me. The overuse of my foot muscles transferred right up my leg and into my knee.
I ordered an inexpensive anti-fatigue mat from Amazon ($14). My knee immediately started to feel better the first day I stood on it. After the first few days, my knee felt much better.
Standing desk posture mistakes and fixes
Let’s take a look at the below photo. I’ll talk about the posture mistakes the user is making. I’ll also talk about how I would fix those posture mistakes.
Standing posture mistake #1
The user is working from a laptop screen. Especially considering how tall he is, this will definitely lead him down a road of both eye strain and neck strain.
Proper standing posture correction #1
Use an extended monitor screen as often as possible. I know it’s not practical to take one with us when we’re traveling. However, I make sure to use one anytime that it’s an option. I raise it up so my eye level is at the top of the monitor screen.
Standing posture mistake #2
The only other posture mistake this user is making is he’s standing on a hard floor. This may not seem like an issue over the short-term. But, over the long-term, it can definitely lead to pain and dysfunction throughout the legs. It can even continue into the lower back and create pain (speaking from experience).
Proper standing posture correction #2
I’d definitely use an anti-fatigue mat anytime I’m standing at a computer for long periods of time.
Proper standing desk ergonomics
Other than those 2 computer posture mistakes, this user has decent standing desk ergonomics. His elbow height is slightly above the desk level, keyboard, and mouse. His legs are straight, but his knees are not overextended. I can tell his knees are relaxed, but stable. His wrists are straight, even though he’s using a laptop keyboard. I’d prefer to use a flat external keyboard. This would make it even easier to keep my wrists straight and avoid carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you’d like to learn my complete process of how to make a standing desk setup, click here to read my article titled Standing Desk Posture Tips. Or, check out some of my other articles I’ve written about standing desk ergonomics below:
How High Should a Standing Desk Be?
Health Benefits of Standing Workstations
How to Get Used to a Standing Desk
THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN COMPUTER POSTURE.
If you’ve read this far, congratulations! You’re taking valuable steps to reduce computer-related injuries by improving your posture. That’s something to be very proud of!
If you liked this article on my 3 standing desk accessories, check out my free ebook titled 3 Ways to Improve Computer Posture Immediately!
>>> Click here to download your free copy
This ebook is a great supplement to the article you just read. In this ebook, you’ll learn 3 of the most painful, poor computer posture mistakes. Then, you’ll learn how to fix those mistakes immediately with 3 simple changes to your ergonomic computer desk setup.
Go to SittingPosture.com/ebook to learn more.
Take care,
Todd Bowen