I have been thinking about having a standing desk for a while.
At work, I am sit on a mesh chair and change my position frequently. I don’t write much, mostly read on the computer screen and work on MS Excel.
NY times posted an article about standing while worrying. It suggests that the body secretes less Lipoprotein Lipase (http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/stand-up-while-you-read-this/) while sitting thereby reducing metabolism. I want to compensate for inactivity since I have stopped riding my bicycle to work for 8 months.
Talking with the folks at Obesity Panaecia, I discovered this other guy who created a standing desk for his iPad. See post here: http://dailymonthly.com/?p=386
I have converted my desk at home to a standing desk. I will be testing this out extensively over the next few weeks. In fact, I am writing this while standing. I will also be looking for more studies about standing while working over the next few weeks while standing at my new desk.
Before
After
Electronics have been moved from the shelf under the desk to a custom made unfinished wooden bench.
Negatives: My feet hurt a little after 15 mins of standing but I am getting used to it real quick
Positives: I have even more room in my already minimalist bedroom and gained a chair in my sparse living room. The large desk area was a collector of clutter. That is not a problem any more.
Update: links (thanks to Travis Saunders)
- Can sitting too long kill you?
- Too much TV reduces the benefit of physical activity
- Paper: Study showing sitting leads to increased health risk
- Paper: Role of Low Energy Expenditure and Sitting in Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, Type 2 Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease
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Hi, you might want to consider one of our Geekdesks at http://www.geekdesk.com. They were recently featured in a follow-up NYT article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/technology/personaltech/22basics.html
Just a thought if you ever want the option to sit OR stand with the push of a button. =)
I absolutely realize the ridiculousness of suggesting that a minimalist buy something….BUT, it sounds like what you need is an anti-fatigue floor mat. They are the cushy foam filled mats that cashiers and others standing in the service industry use to alleviate pain while standing for hours. Perhaps you could get a half sized one…or cut up an old yoga mat and store the piece under the dresser when not in use. Just an idea.
This is a nice space, although I have to say that the little shelf is a bit on the messy side.
I’d exchange that with a closed cabinet to hide the electronics from view.
I bought a new rack for my hifi stuff a few days ago to have some drawers where I can put everything that is not needed (or not part of my very few decorations). I feel better when there is nothing on top of the furniture that always piles up sooner or later in my rooms.
Craig, I dont spend enough time working at home to buy a floor mat. Maybe once I get my work desk converted to a standing desk.
Carsten, Thanks for your comment. It is a small shelf. It holds my loose change (mason jar), quarters for laundry (white cup), external hard drive, wireless router and model. I also place my phone on it when charging. All the chords are tightly coiled and easy to access. This is the best I could do without covering it up.
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