Anecdote here: it took me around 3-4 weeks to get fully acclimatized to my standing desk, a period during which I was often tired and sore. However, once I got used to it, standing became a normal part of my day. Because I'm already standing, I have an easier time walking away from my desk - to get a drink, go to the bathroom, confer with a colleague, go for a walk, etc. - and I've also been incorporating squats, calf raises and stretches into my daily movements. Several months after going all-standing, I feel better than I have in years. My posture is better, my back no longer aches, my knees have stopped hurting, my mood is better and my productivity is as good as, or better than, it was when I sat all day.
I have to second this. I've had multiple runs at standing desks, and the only time I've been able to hack it for full days is when I was already doing squat exercises.
Interesting point. I started doing squats because I was already standing, but it didn't occur to me that I was able to stand because I was doing squats.
One additional note that I should have mentioned (indeed, emphasized): I also spent a couple of months tweaking and tinkering with the ergonomic layout of my desk - chiefly the position of my keyboard, mouse and monitors - until I found an ideal arrangement that nudges me to maintain good posture and leaves my shoulders and wrists pain-free.
> Because I'm already standing, I have an easier time walking away from my desk - to get a drink, go to the bathroom, confer with a colleague, go for a walk, etc. - and I've also been incorporating squats, calf raises and stretches into my daily movements.
But if you were sitting, you would get a half squat out of having to get up to get coffee etc. ;)
