Standing all day can be hard on your body if you're not use to it. Here are some tips for beginners to take some pain out of the experience for sit-stand.
1. Don't try to stand all day
This is the most important thing. Frequent transitions between sitting and standing positions are likely to be more sustainable and less painful than five hours straight standing.
I suggest trying to build up to a half-hour sitting and a half-hour standing throughout the day Tip: use timer for reminders.
You need to listen to your body and if you've got an existing injury, you need to be mindful of that too.
2. Move around
The goal is not to stay still like a statue, but rather to include small movements as much as possible through out your day.
Don't just stand there. Walk around whenever you can, include shoulder rolls or even shifting your weight from side to side.
3. Wear the right shoes
Some people find they need different shoes when spending more time on their feet. This might mean they need to wear joggers, or even bare feet.
Standing too long in heels for instance can cause women to have problems in their knees, hips and back.
4. Get your ergonomics sorted
Just because you're working upright doesn't mean the normal advice about correct positioning of your computer screen and keyboard go out the window. Whatever your setup, make sure the alignment is still right.
5. Get any existing injuries sorted before standing more
If you've had niggling back or neck issues that you've put off doing anything about, and then you transition to more standing during your work day, you could find that your pain remains the same or increases.
Before you transition to standing more, see your Doctor or a Chiropractor to get any existing injuries checked out and discuss any concerns.
If you gradually transition to standing and moving more, you may find relief from pain.