Have questions about a SMSC Health and Wellness program? Fill out an Inquiry
SMSC Health and Wellness offers team members and employees an opportunity to have their own sit-to-stand desk at their workstation. Our sit-to-stand program is a great option for employees who are at a desk more than 3-6 hours per day.
Interested in a sit-to-stand workstation?
Contact Wellness at 952.233.2965 or email smscwellness@shakopeedakota.org.
Sitting too much can be bad for your health and your body. People who sit at a desk for most of the day may have an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other health complications. Additionally, sitting all the time burns very little calories, and some studies show a link between weight gain and obesity with being sedentary for too long during the day. Enhance your productivity by utilizing an ergonomic workstation designed to relieve the aches and pains of repetitive tasks with the science of comfort.
What is a Sit-to-Stand Desk?
A sit-to-stand desk is a height-adjustable or table-top desk that allows you to stand up comfortably while working. Many modern versions work with the desk you already have and are adjustable so that you can change the height of your monitors, keyboard, and mouse. This allows you to alternate between sitting and standing.
How to Use a Sit-to-Stand Desk
Early research suggests you should spend 1 hour standing for every 1-2 hours sitting. To begin, set your standing desk at about elbow height. This means your elbows should be in a 90 degree position from the floor. Monitors should be positioned at eye level and approximately an arm’s length from your body, with a small upwards tilt between 10 and 20 degrees. The idea is that you should never need to tilt your neck up or down. If you use two monitors, the primary monitor should be placed directly in front of you, and the secondary monitor should be positioned to the side that your mouse is on. Properly positioning your monitor will allow you to maintain good posture, relieve stress in your neck and shoulders, and reduce eye strain.
Working long hours on a computer can strain your wrists. Therefore, it’s important to optimize wrist position when sitting or standing. The ideal angle when standing is slightly more extended (tilted upwards) than when sitting. In order to protect your wrists when standing, always keep your keyboard and mouse at the same level and your wrists straight when typing. Place your mouse and keyboard on the same surface and at a distance that allows you to keep your elbows close to your body.
When using a standing workstation, keep your head, neck, torso, and legs approximately in line and vertical. Use a footrest to shift your weight from foot to foot, and wear shoes that provide proper support. Even though standing at your desk is better than sitting, you should still take regular breaks to move and stretch, clear your head, and rest your eyes.
