Ever since online school began last March, leaving my desk has become increasingly rare. From synchronous classes to homework to college essays, it seems I’m always in front of a laptop and sitting in a chair. Over time I felt my legs actually get weaker because of how inactive they were, and I found myself leaning back to the point of toppling over just to stretch them. 

My problems had gotten so cripplingly bad that my mom ordered a standing desk without even telling me just because she “couldn’t bear to see the arch in my back anymore.” (In my case, she got the Tresanti 47-inch adjustable height desk known for its sleek design.)

And let me tell you, it’s a game changer.

My mom is a standing desk expert, having had one at her office desk for years, and she made me realize that standing desks are more than just tables for work — they are a lifestyle. 

When you’re bored in class, BAM! Now, you’re standing and bored. When you need to stretch your legs, BAM! You can stand now. A lot of desks even have timers that you can set to remind you to stand, which has actually helped me feel more active. It truly opens a world of possibilities. 

I fully expected to turn into the health junkie that I traditionally associated standing desks with, but I just became a little happier and more comfortable. 

I’ve definitely noticed some un-arching of my back because I’m not hunched over my computer in my classes, and honestly, I just like shaking my legs out and getting blood flowing through them. 

Another bonus is that my desk makes me feel like a sneaky spy; no one else knows I’m standing because the computer is still level with my face. And who doesn’t want to feel like a secret agent every once in a while?

All benefits aside, though, the standing desk does come with a learning curve. There have been many times in class where I accidentally brush against the up or down button and get stuck in an awkward position somewhere between sitting and standing. 

It’s also not practical to think that you will be able to do all your work standing up because doing pen-to-paper homework while standing and still hunched over actually hurts more than when sitting. 

Clearly, though, the advantages of standing desks outweigh the negatives, and I’d recommend them to anyone considering getting one. (There’s a reason why two of our past principals use standing desks.) Your legs — and back — will thank you.