Sitting all day at your desk puts you at risk for various illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and shorter life expectancy. While we can’t really avoid using our computer, we can change things up by working on a standing desk.
Standing desks or stand-up desks allow you to stand comfortably as you work. It’s easy to change your posture when using a standing desk, and this triggers a range of benefits that essentially negate the effects of sitting for long periods of time.
Boosts Productivity
One reason why others are not on board the standing desk craze is because they’re thought to hinder tasks such as typing or answering phone calls. But actually, standing desks don’t even impact these activities. However, it may take some getting used to.
But while there is no change with employees’ word-per-minute rate, standing desks can increase productivity by giving you an energy boost. A one-week study has actually revealed that 87% of people who used standing desks said that they felt more energized throughout the day (see here on sedentarybehaviour.org)
Reduced Back Pain
Ask any worker who spends hours at his desk. He’ll tell you that back pain is the bane of sitting all day. Standing desks help reduce this because the time you spend sitting will be countered by standing for a few minutes at a time.
Studies have been done to prove if standing desks really reduce back pain, and it revealed that 32% of the participants saw improvement after several weeks.
In another study that spanned 4 weeks, 54% of participants reported relief from upper back and neck pain when they used a sit-stand desk (see here: https://allthestuff.com/standing-desks/).
Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
As previously mentioned, sitting all day increases one’s risk of type 2 diabetes. When studies have been done to see if standing can counter blood sugar spikes, it’s been shown that sitting after lunch causes a rise in blood sugar.
According to the study, the employees who stood for 180 minutes after lunch had a 43% decrease in blood sugar. This is compared to the group of employees who sat down after lunch for the same amount of time. Each employee took the same amount of steps, eliminating doubt that physical movements affected the results.
Reduces Risk of Weight Gain and Obesity
Good news to those trying to lose weight – simply working on a standing desk can help you burn 170 additional calories. The amount of time spent standing was compared to amount of time spent sitting, and this caloric difference was revealed.
But while this doesn’t really compare to exercise for weight loss, standing while working assists in burning off a few more calories a day so you can achieve your weight loss goals faster.
How do you use a standing desk?
Don’t worry; you don’t have to stand all day. The best way to do this is to introduce it slowly to your routine. Start with standing for 30 minutes at a time, and then sit down after. Alternating sitting and standing a few times a day is an excellent start.
In the course of the next few weeks, you can add an hour or two to your standing sessions, whatever feels comfortable for you. Also, make sure your head, neck, and spine are properly aligned when working. Wear comfortable shoes as well with low heels or no heels at all. For more tips on how to use your standing desk, check this out: https://ergonofis.com/blogs/news/how-to-use-my-sitstand-desk-correctly.
Final Words
Standing desks may be an investment but it’s something that can positively impact your health. We’re always working long hours at our desk and studies have shown that it can pose significant risks for the long-term. If you want to avoid that, then using a standing desk would be a good way to start.