Top 7 benefits of using a standing desk in the office

Top 7 benefits of using a standing desk in the office

Too much sitting is bad for your body. People who sit a lot every day have an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and premature death. In addition, sitting all the time burns few calories, and many studies have linked it to weight gain and obesity. This is a major problem for office workers, who spend most of the day sitting. Fortunately, sit stand desk are becoming increasingly popular.

What is a standing desk?

A standing desk, also known as a standing desk, is basically a desk that allows you to stand comfortably while you work. Many modern versions are adjustable, so you can change the height of the desk and alternate between a sitting and standing position. These are called height-adjustable desks or standing computer desk. Although research is still in its early stages, using the standing desk can indeed provide impressive health benefits. It can also increase productivity.

At the very least, the harmful effects of too much sitting can be partially offset by using this type of desk.

1.Improve mood and energy levels

Sitting all day, eating, and then sitting again can lead to laziness. No matter how great the music or conversation , if you sit, excitement turns to relaxation.

When your body is completely at rest and your posture is bent, energy levels and mood drop. This will affect your productivity and work environment. A standing gaming desk can reduce stress and fatigue while improving mood and energy levels. 

2.Extended life

Studies have found a strong link between increased time spent seated and earlier death. This is not surprising considering the strong link between sedentary time, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, a review of 18 studies found that people who sat the most died 49 percent earlier than those who died the least. Another study estimated that reducing sitting time to three hours a day could increase the average life expectancy of Americans by two years. Although these observational studies do not prove cause and effect, there is enough evidence to suggest that standing more extends our life expectancy.

Studies show that reducing sitting time can reduce your risk of early death and therefore help you live longer.

3.Lowering blood sugar levels

Sitting down immediately after lunch can cause your blood sugar levels to spike. A study was conducted on 23 office workers. Workers who sat down every half hour and then stood up and sat again had an 11.1 percent reduction in blood sugar levels.

In general, blood sugar levels are elevated after a meal, and sitting down immediately can spike your blood sugar, making it even worse 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 rise in blood sugar by 43 percent while sitting for a different amount of time. Both groups took the same steps, suggesting that the smaller spike was due to standing rather than additional body movement around the office. Another study involving 23 office workers found that rotating between standing and sitting every 30 minutes throughout the workday resulted in an average 11.1 percent reduction in peak blood sugar. The harmful effects of sitting after meals may help explain why sedentary time is associated with a 112 percent higher risk of causing type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that using a small standing desk at work can lower blood sugar levels, especially after lunch.

4.Increase productivity

A common concern about standing desks is that they get in the way of daily tasks, such as typing.

While standing each afternoon may take some getting used to, standing desks do not appear to have a significant impact on typical work tasks. In a study of 60 young office workers, using a standing desk for four hours a day had no effect on characters typed per minute or typing errors.

Considering that standing also improves mood and energy, the use of a adjustable height desk is more likely to improve productivity than hinder it.

 

5.Reduce the risk of weight gain and obesity

Weight gain is ultimately the result of taking in more calories than you burn. Conversely, burning more calories than you do can lead to weight loss. While exercise is the most effective way to burn calories quickly, simply choosing to stand rather than sit can also be beneficial. In fact, the equivalent amount of time spent standing has been shown to burn 170 times more calories compared to an afternoon of sedentary work. Burning off almost 1,000 more calories each week just by being at your desk each day. This caloric difference may be one reason why prolonged sitting is closely associated with obesity and metabolic disease. Choosing a adjustable desk with drawers can be an effective way to increase your standing time and burn your calories.

 

6.Reduce the risk of heart disease

In 1953, scientists conducted a study on whether standing was beneficial to heart health. The study found that bus conductors who stood all day had half the risk of heart disease-related deaths compared to their colleagues who sat in the driver's seat, so standing was proposed to be better for overall heart health. And the negative effects of sitting all day can't even be compensated for by an hour of vigorous activity, and it's widely believed that the longer you sit, the greater the risk of heart disease. The advantage of an electric standing desk is that you can switch between sitting and standing during the day. This will reduce the risk of work that would otherwise lead to heart disease. 

7.Reduces 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 condition, several studies were conducted on employees with chronic back pain. Participants reported improvements in lower back pain of up to 32% after a few weeks of using a standing desk. Another study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that using a sit-stand desk for just four weeks reduced upper back and neck pain by 54 percent. In addition, after removing the L-shaped standing desk, back and neck pain began to increase again within 2 weeks.

Several studies have shown that standing desks can significantly reduce chronic back pain caused by prolonged sitting.

If you also want to reduce back pain, you can also choose to use best ergonomic office chair. The overall curve of the back of the ergonomic office chair is based on the natural lines of the human spine design, which allows a greater degree of human spine support, relieves the pressure on the lumbar spine and reduces back pain.

Standing helps us feel healthier, and when we feel well, we often in a better mood. Participants in standing studies at work have reported improved mood as a peripheral benefit of standing at work. So if you having a slow workday (or feeling down), get on your feet!