Are you considering buying a sit-stand desk for your home office? Before finalizing the decision, make sure you know how to use it ideally. That’s what we are going to address here.

Using a standing desk correctly might seem like a no-brainer. However, it’s something you should analyze carefully. Of course, you stand and work, but the ergonomics have a science behind them. Standing desks are made to suit the human body’s needs.

To give your body the full benefit of a sit-stand desk, you need to understand its purpose. The required height might differ for everyone. Your optimal height depends on how you use it. So, let’s take a look at the ideal method to make the most out of your standing desk.

The Ideal Way To Use A Standing Desk

While You’re Standing

Adjust The Desk To Your Elbow Height

Whether you are sitting or standing, the height of the desk should be at your elbow level. It’s to prevent any physical syndromes and being able to assess full space on offer.

The right way to achieve such a position is bending your elbows at 90 degrees and keeping your neck neutral. Keep your wrist straight in front and align the desk according to that height. Your fingers should be able to hand down to meet the keys on the keyboard.

Check The Position Of Your Wrists

You should always keep the position of the wrists in check. They should be parallel to the desktop so that your fingers can easily meet the keyboard. Never incline your wrist; otherwise, you might experience fatigue after a while of work. If the internal structure of your wrist is disturbed, it can lead to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. The risk prevails while using any desk.

Keep Your Posture Ideal

The ideal posture is when your neck stands tall, and your shoulders are relaxed. Also, your knees should not be dead straight to avoid any stress on the joints.

While working at home, a good posture is all you need. With a neutral spine, the muscles keep your body balanced. They support every part of your body equally. Statistics suggest that most back pains are attributed to a sitting or standing posture, especially for extended periods. If you apply the ideal technique on an office desk, you will minimize the harm.

While You’re Sitting

Find The Ideal Height Of Your Ergonomic Chair

First of all, the seat cushion should be parallel to the base of your knees. Your feet should find the floor to rest properly, and there should be at least a 1-foot gap between your knees and chair’s front edge. Your knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle, and there should be a footrest if your chair height matches that of the standing desk.

Eventually, your chair has a lot of influence on your body posture. Choose a chair very carefully, even if you are sitting comfortably at home.

The Backrest Angle

While sitting, the angle of your back is different from that when you’re standing straight. It can be tilted or straight. We recommend something in between. Your lower body is in the ideal position while your elbows are parallel to the desktop. Your fingers should easily reach the keyboard.

Rest everything is similar to your body posture when you are standing. The only changes are in the lower body while keeping your upper body as straight as possible.

The Correct Height Of The Computer

Almost every office task requires a screen in front. Whether you are using a desktop or laptop, the screen should be at the eye level. Your neck should be in a neutral position while looking straight. If you incline your head, it can lead to a syndrome.

So, either adjust your chair height according to a desktop or laptop screen or use a laptop stand to bring it to your correct eye level. It’s always better to use a separate keyboard and mouse if your laptop sits on the desk.

How Long Should You Stand At A Standing Desk?

Now that’s a question many people have been struggling with. Since there’s a lot of stress, even if you’re working from home, standing at a desk for long hours is not recommended. Also, do not set for long hours on a stretch. The ratio for sitting and standing can be 2:1 to 1:1.

The best benefit of a sit-stand desk is that it keeps altering your positions. It can be more productive when you continuously change how you sit or stand. Your comfort and energy levels keep on refreshing if you maintain the ideal standing to sitting ratio. The ratio can be different for everyone. So, take your time and determine your ideal ratio.