Standing vs. Sitting Desks: Which is Better?

You’ve heard the buzz about the practice of ergonomics allowing for increased productivity in the workplace and you’ve done some research. So which is better for your mind, body, and work performance: sitting or standing? The truth is that there are great benefits to both and like anything else, everything is better in moderation.

Even if you follow every ergonomical guideline for sitting desks, there are still health risks associated with prolonged sitting ranging from obesity and to forms of cancer. On the less serious side, prolonged sitting can also create annoying neck and shoulder tightness when you aren’t able to interrupt your workflow to take a stretch break as often as you should. So, is creating an ergonomic standing workstation the solution? It could be!

Standing workstations can relieve back pain, enable your body to stretch without impeding productivity, and create long-lasting energy needed to power through the day. However, being on your feet all day long can pose risks to your body as well. You may experience leg, foot, or toe numbness due to nerve compression, and you may also be putting yourself at risk for developing varicose veins. Additionally, if you are prone to hyperextend your knees while standing for long periods you could cause yourself to faint! (How’s that for productivity?)

SEE ALSO: Ergonomics: The Science of Work And It's Influence On Performance

So, absolutely create your standing workstation! But don’t do away with your traditional sitting desk either. Listen to your body: when you feel antsy, tight and in need of a turbo boost, switch to your standing workstation. Once you begin to feel tingly or experience any lower extremity fatigue or pain then head back to your sitting station. There are even desks out there that can transform from sitting to standing in a matter of seconds without ever having to leave your workstation!

But always remember: keep your eyes level with the top of the program you are working on (for standing stations, this means tilting or raising your computer screen) and keep your shoulders relaxed with your elbows at 90 degrees when using the keyboard. Also, while working at a standing station, it is best to wear shoes with good support or stand barefoot on a gel mat.

Take care of yourself and boost productivity. Never settle until you find the groove that meshes comfort and ergonomics.