I am always working. After I pour my first cup of coffee around 6 a.m., my workday starts, and it may not end until around 11 p.m. some nights. And since you’re probably wondering…I am wearing Eloquii’s Printed Palazzo Pants! Since the start of the pandemic, I have been lucky to be able to triple my workload between my 9-to-5 job, my freelance career, and my blog. And up until a few weeks ago, I spent most of these hours sitting at my desk in pain, boredom, and discomfort. So, I decided that it was time for me to get my very own UPLIFT standing work desk after I realized that my body needed movement and variety throughout my workday. Honestly, who wants to spend 10 plus hours sitting at a desk? I thought I had no choice until I realized a unique way of working that made me realize an electric standing desk might change my life. And let me tell you, this standing desk improved my productivity and mood. But here’s how I got there…
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How I found out that I needed a standing desk…it’s kind of funny
As I mentioned, I was working from a typical desk in my apartment—since the start of the pandemic. My butt, back, and neck hurt every day by 1 p.m., which only added to the stress I felt under my workload. I would sometimes sit in bed or on my couch for a quick sense of relief, but I found that neither of those improved my posture, pain, or productivity. Out of desperation, I downloaded Google Docs on my phone, stuck my phone in my bra upside down, and started using the talk to type feature to write my articles as I walked around my apartment and did various things. And while this wasn’t ideal, it showed me that I needed to have a desk that could move with me throughout the day. Whether I wanted to stand, sit, or rock, I worked best when I had the option to move my body and alternate from sitting to standing. So, I made it happen…
Upgrading to one of the best electric standing desks for my home office
I recently moved into a new apartment where I have my very own office space, which is such a treat since I have been working and living in the same four corners of my small studio apartment for the past three years. With this upgrade, I decided to upgrade my desk, too. While I had never had a standing desk prior to exploring UPLIFT desks, I have always wanted one. I compared my options and decided that UPLIFT’s V2 42×30 standing desk was going to be the perfect fit for me. I loved that I was able to completely customize it from the size to the color and I was also able to add on UPLIFT desk accessories such as a filing cabinet, extra USB hubs, a notebook and tablet stand, and a writing desk pad. Most of these accessories came with the desk at no extra charge! And when it came to seating, I thought I would get a typical chair to go with the desk since I knew I would have to ease into learning how to work at a standing desk. But instead, I chose to add on a bamboo rocker (free with my desk) and a motion stool (+$94), and I am so happy that I did. And this is why…
How I feel after using a standing desk
I never really thought of myself as “fidgety,” but I noticed that movement while I am working helped keep me much more focused…and I would soon find out exactly how this manifested throughout my workday when I recorded a few hours of me working on my new UPLIFT stand up desk (check out the video: working from my UPLIFT standing desk). Whether I am sitting or standing, I can move my body and I think that’s why I have seen so many benefits. On the bamboo rocker, I can stand and rock side to side, and sometimes I even like to stand in the middle on one leg. With the motion stool, I can move my hips and rock back and forth while I am working. This movement helps me stay engaged in my work without feeling bored or distracted.
One size does not fit all
I can’t stress enough just how important and game changing the versatility of this desk has been for me. I’m excited to get to work every day and I feel even better at the end of my day because my body isn’t hurting, and I have been able to get most of the work on my to-do list done. Another thing I have realized after using an electric stand up desk is that one desk size does not fit all. I don’t wear “one size fits all” clothing, so why would I ever think that a one size fits all desk would be right for me? I can’t believe that I have been sitting at desks without being able to control their height my whole life. Whether I am sitting or standing, I find it so helpful to be able to adjust the height of my desk so that I am not slouching, leaning, or straining myself—I caught myself doing this so much when I first got my standing desk only to realize that I could change all of that with the push of a button.
What are the benefits of a standing desk?
There are various studies that show standing desks are healthier for you than sitting desks, but the benefits of a standing desk that I noticed almost immediately were:
- Increased energy
- Improved mood and focus
- Less stress
- Higher productivity levels
- Reduced need for caffeine / afternoon “pick me up”
- Better posture Less neck, arm, and wrist strain
- Higher levels of optimism about my workday
According to UPLIFT, their activity-promoting desks have been shown to have benefits like the ones I was experiencing. See, I knew I was onto something when I started walking around my apartment talking into my phone to write articles. It may have looked and sounded silly, but I had been doing my work like that for the past six months, and that’s what inspired me to get a standing desk. Overall, I am so happy that I made this much-needed change in my life, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to go back to a sitting desk ever again knowing what I know now!
Thank you to UPLIFT for sending me this standing desk to review. All opinions and thoughts are 100% my own!
