Luckily, with the increased popularity of height-adjustable desks, there are ways to prevent these health concerns from developing. Height adjustable desks, also known as standing desks or sit-stand desks, allow you to work standing up and can be adjusted so you can alternate between sitting and standing. Studies have shown that there are benefits to standing desks, including increased productivity and improvements to your health and fitness. Here are five benefits of standing desks that you may not have considered.
Lower Risk of Weight Gain and Obesity
Weight gain and obesity have become a big problem because of the sedentary lifestyle so many of us have adopted thanks to modern conveniences. Ultimately, weight gain is caused by consuming more calories than are burned but if you can find opportunities to increase your activity each day, you can burn more calories and lose excess weight. Exercise is the most effective way to burn excess calories quickly but there are also ways to incorporate better choices in other ways that can benefit your health, such as standing while you work.You may be surprised to learn that standing during an afternoon of work instead of sitting can actually burn as much as 170 extra calories – over the course of a week, that can amount to 1000 extra calories burned just from standing. This change in calorie expenditure is one of the reasons that prolonged sitting is connected to obesity and associated diseases. A sit-stand desk is an easy way to make sure you’re alternating between sitting and standing more regularly, so you can burn calories without it affecting your ability to work.
Reduced Blood Sugar Levels
Our blood sugar levels rise after we eat, but the higher they rise, the worse it is for our health. This is particularly dangerous for people who have insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. Excessive sedentary periods have even been linked to a 112% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, standing for 180 minutes after eating can reduce the spike in blood sugar levels by over 40%, compared to sitting for the same period of time.
Standing uses the whole body as well as your mind, encouraging you to activate different muscles and engage your core, which uses energy and balances blood sugar levels. Whether you choose to stand for longer sections of time or alternate between sitting and standing more regularly, finding times throughout the day to stand will benefit your blood sugar.
Lower Risk of Heart Disease
As far back as 1953, scientists have proven that standing is better for our heart health than sitting down. Jobs that require individuals to sit down for long periods have a higher risk of heart disease and other heart related conditions than those who stand regularly. And over time, numerous studies have taken place which have suggested that prolonged sedentary time can increase the risk of heart disease by as much as 147%. It’s so damaging to our health that even an hour of intense exercise may not be enough to combat the effects of a whole day sitting down
So, with the knowledge that spending more time on our feet is better for our hearts, it is understandable that standing desks have become increasingly popular. Sit-stand desks make switching between sitting and standing easier than ever, so you can choose when and for how long you stand each day, while still being able to work normally.
Minimised Back Pain
Back pain is a common complaint of office workers who have to sit in front of a computer for eight hours a day. This is because we hunch over and neglect our posture, which puts pressure on the spine and can lead to spinal injuries, neck strain and shoulder pain.
Studies have shown, however, that standing desks can improve our posture and improve long-term back pain by as much as 32% for lower back pain sufferers and 54% in upper back pain sufferers. In fact, people who struggle with back pain could see changes and improvements in as little as four weeks by switching to a sit-stand desk.
Coupling an adjustable desk with accessories such as an anti-fatigue mat will ensure that you can stand for long periods comfortably.
What’s more, adding in stretches throughout the day will also help to keep your spine in peak health, putting an end to those feelings of tight neck muscles and achey shoulders at the end of the work day.
Greater Energy Levels and Improved Mood
Standing desks have been proven to have a positive impact on our overall well being and feelings of tiredness and fatigue. Standing more regularly can help to increase productivity, improve mood and lower feelings of depression, while also increasing energy levels throughout the day. We all know that exercising is great for our mood and outlook and incorporating more activity in each day through standing instead of sitting can be a great way of giving your mental health a boost. If you notice that you become sluggish and fatigued often at work, it could be that your traditional desk is to blame.
Switching your workstation to a height-adjustable desk can be a simple but highly effective way of boosting your mood and improving your energy levels, as well as doing wonders for your health and well being. Simply by standing more while you work, you can avoid those afternoon energy slumps and feelings of tiredness.
So, with the knowledge that spending more time on our feet is better for our hearts, it is understandable that standing desks have become increasingly popular. Sit-stand desks make switching between sitting and standing easier than ever, so you can choose when and for how long you stand each day, while still being able to work normally.
