I Used a Standing Desk For a Month—Here’s What Happenedm

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How to use a standing desk

Standing desks sound simple enough to use: Stand while you work. But like anything else, Dr. Davis says, it’s best to incorporate the habit gradually. “If you’re not used to standing much, you may be more susceptible to fatigue and leg soreness, which may be distracting while trying to work or lead you to abandon your goal of increased standing.”

According to Dr. Singh, current research says that if you’re used to sitting throughout the work day, set an initial goal of two hours of standing and light walking during working hours. Once this routine is comfortable, aim to extend that time to four hours.

As for how to find the best standing desk, there are budget-friendly options with engineering designed for simple adjustment, to higher-tech products that let you raise and lower to your preferred height electronically. Some on the market come with charger outlets, USB ports, and more.

Obviously, there’s some coordination necessary to receiving a shipment that size, and there may be some assembly involved. Consider these details carefully when you’re shopping for your standing desk—it can be a pain to return such a sizable piece of equipment.

If you want to see how well you enjoy standing before you commit to your purchase, try working at the counter to feel more open joints and how this approach elongates your torso and helps shift your bloodflow. As I note below, also pay attention to how the experience affects your back.

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I learned that standing all day isn’t good for you, either

“It’s important to note that, similar to the risks of prolonged static sitting, prolonged static standing may have its own challenges,” Dr. Singh cautions.

To his point, a large 2024 study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that standing for long periods doesn’t necessarily offset the risks of sitting all day—and it comes with its own set of risks, such as circulatory problems and a risk of varicose veins. “As our muscles become fatigued from prolonged standing, our posture may worsen and this can result in symptoms of stiffness or discomfort,” Dr. Singh adds. Simply put: Our bodies are designed for regular movement, and we don’t respond well to static positions, whether sitting or standing.

“A good solution is to alternate between seated and standing-based work,” he says. “In these instances, an adjustable desk station can be beneficial.” These sit-stand desks are designed for easy position changes, which is ideal if you have a specific desk setup, such as one with multiple monitors. Since I just have my laptop—and my standard standing desk was already assembled—I followed Dr. Singh’s advice to simply alternate between sitting and standing.

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My standing desk helped me move more

I started using my standing desk for short periods of time—for just 10 or 15 minutes at once. As Dr. Davis said, standing too long can be distracting, so once I noticed that I was fidgeting or that my attention was drifting, I grabbed my laptop and sat down. I’d then set an alarm on my phone for 30 minutes to remind myself to return to the standing desk.

But the magic was in these transitions themselves. Almost inevitably, I’d wind up taking more micro-breaks, pausing to move around for a quick stretch, a water break, or to tidy up. It didn’t seem like much, but my Apple Watch showed that my daily step count went up between 10% and 20% on workdays thanks to these little movement “snacks.”

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My standing desk improved my productivity

These micro-breaks also acted as a mental reset. I noticed I was completing more work in less time (and, since I work from home, I also checked off more from my to-do list in the spare moments before returning to my standing desk).

Recent research supports what I experienced. A review of studies published in 2022 in PloS One found that micro-breaks—defined as breaks less than 10 minutes—boost performance, focus, creativity, and general well-being. But switching between my normal desk and my standing desk also added a new, beneficial structure to the way I approached my workload.

I have a habit of focusing into my work and pushing through until it’s done. With these deliberate breaks to move positions, not only did I increase my work productivity, but I also added more self-care into my day. For instance, I’d use some of these spare moments to meal prep a few ingredients for dinner (which was proof that I was thinking ahead to make better nutritional decisions later in the day) or to head outside, which provided a bonus benefit: 2022 research in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health noted that spending just 10 minutes outside (walking or sitting) improves cognitive performance and restores mental attention.

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My standing desk relieved my lower back pain

“A standing desk can be a helpful tool for those who experience neck or lower back pain with prolonged sitting, as it may help to improve posture and decrease pressure forces through the lumbar spine,” Dr. Singh explains. This was definitely the case for me.

But prolonged standing, particularly if you aren’t conditioned for it, can cause pain, Dr. Davis reminded me. “Most commonly in the legs and feet, and occasionally you may get swelling in the legs if the standing is static.” Plus, the fatigue and poor posture from standing too long can backfire, putting extra pressure on your lower back. “A cushioned standing mat can make standing for longer periods more comfortable,” Dr. Singh said.

If the additional investment isn’t in the cards for you just yet, I found that wearing foam sandals with support did the trick to offer a bit of extra cushioning while I stood.

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I had more consistent energy using my standing desk

“Many people experience more energy and alertness while working at a standing desk,” Dr. Davis says. Standing requires more muscle activation than sitting—which gets your blood circulating and increases your metabolism, helping to keep mental and physical fatigue at bay and helping your body consume more calories.

I noticed this effect throughout my work day (with partial credit going to the micro-breaks, too). But, importantly, I also avoided my usual end-of-day slump. I usually go to trapeze practice at the end of the day, and it often takes some effort to get motivated—even more to feel like my body’s warmed up after being slumped in front of my computer for hours at a time. (A 2021 study published in Biomechanics explains that sitting for long periods significantly increases muscle stiffness and fatigue.)

By moving more throughout the day, I felt ready for action even after a busy day behind my computer.

My standing desk brought a welcome change to the way I work…and focus

In summary, having a standing desk still doesn’t mean that I stand all day—but it’s made for a dynamic addition to my office space that’s helped me work with more of my wellness in mind.

For more wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:

• • The 5 Best Standing Desks to Keep You from Sitting All Day Long
  • 50 Easy Ways to Get More Energy
  • Does Walking Build Muscle? Here’s What Expert Doctors Say
  • I Tried a Back Posture Corrector—Here’s What Happened