The Standup Office

I’ve been reading a lot lately about how important it is to stand up. Long hours sitting in place, the jobs most of us do these days, is very bad for ones heath. We need to not only move, but also to stand. Apparently even the most active of us (a category that does not include me) is doing their health no good by sitting at a desk most of the day.

I’ve heard about standup desks and treadmill desks, and when my friend Charles Benoit posted a picture of his new stand-up office, I figured I’d give it a try.
Yesterday was the first day. I set my Netbook computer up on a half-wall between the kitchen and dining room. I decided I’d give it half an hour to start.

I worked like that for 3.5 hours.

I loved it.

Not only did I scarcely notice that I was standing, but it gave my writing a real boost. When I lifted my head to think, instead of shifting in my chair and then hitting the Facebook or e-mail key, I took a few steps, swung my arms around and came back to it.

Today I stood again. The time whizzed by almost as fast as my fingers typed. Now I’m sure the increased productivity is due more to the shift in working environment, as minimal as it is, than the actual position. No doubt things will slow down back to normal soon.

But I’m delighted that I’d tried this.

I’m lucky that the half-wall is at exactly the right height. I’d advise anyone to take care as to the position of the computer to try this. Too low and your back will feel it. Too high and you’ll strain your shoulder. You probably also want to be sure you don’t have your computer wobbling on the top of an impromptu stack of books.

The above picture shows my new set up. Nothing fancy at all.