Benefits of using Sit-Stand desk
Many adults spend more than 7 hours a day sitting and this typically increases to 10 hours or more as we get older. This is hardly surprising when you consider our daily routines, such as being sat at our desks and being sat in the car. The main issue with this is that our bodies are not engineered to be sat in a static position all day.
Long periods of sitting have a major impact on our health and wellbeing. This can include strain on our necks, herniated discs, muscle degeneration, and weakened bones, these are just some of the problems involved around the issue of sitting for too long.
A standing desk, also called a stand-up desk, is basically a desk that allows you to stand up comfortably while working. Many modern versions are adjustable so that you can change the height of the desk and alternate between sitting and standing. These are referred to as height-adjustable desks or sit-stand desks.
By implementing a standing desk into your workstation, will help combat these symptoms as well as giving your body a chance to experience all the health benefits of using sit-stand desk. Having the ability to switch between standing and sitting postures can help reduce the physical stress which your body has to endure. It keeps you active at work and improves your productivity throughout the day. Sit-stand desks have been designed in a way that makes working comfortable whether you’re stood up or sat down. It gives you the ability to vary your posture and combat the health risks which are associated with sitting too much.
Standing Lowers Your Risk of Weight Gain and Obesity
While exercise is the most effective way to burn calories quickly, simply choosing to stand instead of sitting can also be beneficial. In fact, when compared to an afternoon of sedentary work, an equal amount of time spent standing has been shown to burn over 170 additional calories according to the highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health. That’s almost 1000 extra calories burned each week from simply standing at your desk each afternoon. This caloric difference could be one of the reasons why sitting longer is so strongly linked to obesity and metabolic disease.
Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Generally speaking, the more your blood sugar levels increase after meals, the worse it is for your health. This is especially true for those with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. In a small study of 10 office workers, standing for 180 minutes after lunch reduced the blood sugar spike by 43% compared to sitting for the same amount of time. Both groups took the same amount of steps, indicating that the smaller spike was due to standing rather than additional physical movements around the office. Another study involving 23 office workers found that alternating between standing and sitting every 30 minutes throughout the workday reduced blood sugar spikes by 11.1% on average. The harmful effects of sitting after meals could help explain why excessive sedentary time is linked to a whopping 112% greater risk of type 2 diabetes.
Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
The idea that standing is better for heart health was first proposed in 1953. A study found that bus conductors who stood all day had half the risk of heart disease-related deaths as their colleagues in the driver’s seats. Since then, scientists have developed a much greater understanding of the effects of sitting on heart health, with prolonged sedentary time thought to increase the risk of heart disease by up to 147%. It is so harmful that even an hour of intense exercise may not make up for the negative effects of an entire day spent sitting. There is no doubt that spending more time on your feet is beneficial for heart health.
Reduce Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common complaints of office workers who sit all day. To determine if standing desks could improve this, several studies have been done on employees with long-term back pain. Participants have reported up to a 32% improvement in lower back pain after several weeks of using standing desks.
Another study published by the CDC found that the use of a sit-stand desk reduced upper back and neck pain by 54% after just 4 weeks. Additionally, the removal of the sit-stand desks reversed some of those improvements within a 2-week period.
Improve Mood and Energy Levels
Standing desks appear to have a positive influence on overall well-being. In one 7-week study, participants using standing desks reported less stress and fatigue than those who remained seated the entire workday. Additionally, 87% of those using standing desks reported increased vigor and energy throughout the day. Upon returning to their old desks, overall moods reverted to their original levels. These findings align with broader research on sitting and mental health, which links sedentary time with an increased risk of both depression and anxiety
Conclusion
The above benefits of using Sit-Stand desk may not be the only ones you find as you try out this new lifestyle. Improvements in physical, metabolic, and mental health can impact your life in ways you never thought possible.
If you are considering changing to a standing desk, check out our Sit-Stand Desk options.
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Keep in mind that using a standing desk is like any other “intervention” — it can come with “side effects.” For example, if you suddenly go from sitting all day to standing all day, you run the risk of developing back, leg, or foot pain; it’s better to ease into it by starting with 30 to 60 minutes a day and gradually increasing it. Setting a timer to remind you when to stand or sit (as many experts recommend) can disrupt your concentration, reduce your focus, and reduce your efficiency or creativity. You may want to experiment with different time intervals to find the one that works best for you.
