Amazing Health Benefits of a Standing Desk

Could sitting be the new smoking? Sitting for extended periods of time is being heralded a ‘silent killer,’ much like smoking. Living a sedentary lifestyle can be dangerous to your health.

If you’re sitting for long hours – both during your workday and downtime – you have a higher risk of obesity and developing health problems like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Add to that musculoskeletal issues like back and neck pain. In fact, a whopping 73% of British people struggle with back pain each day according to the British Chiropractic Association (BCA).

But when you’re working long hours, it can be hard to find time to exercise. That’s where the innovative standing desk comes into its own. It could be the answer for office workers and employers. Making the swap from a traditional seated desk could improve your overall health and wellbeing significantly.

But what exactly is a standing desk and how does it benefit your health and wellbeing? Read on to find out.

What is a standing desk?

A standing desk is height adjustable. It has a mechanism which raises or lowers the workstation platform so you can comfortably stand up while working. Standing desks are designed to reduce the health risks associated with long sitting times.

Another workplace innovation is the treadmill desk. That goes a step further by incorporating light physical activity into the workday. You may have seen pictures of Victoria Beckham walking whilst working at her treadmill desk. Like the standing desk, the treadmill desk provides an alternative to traditional office furniture.

Are there actually benefits to a standing desk?

It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of leading an increasingly sedentary life. After long hours sitting down at your office desk, you spend the evening on the sofa. That’s made worse if your commute is by car, or only from your home office to the living room.

People who live a sedentary life and work long hours in a seated position are at an increased risk of health problems. Ultimately, it can shorten your life. Moving around and standing up more often during your workday can lessen those health risks. Here’s how:

• Better posture: if you’ve ever felt yourself slumping or slouching at your desk (and who hasn’t?), you’ll know that not all office chairs support a correct ergonomic position. Standing up helps with spinal alignment. Plus, adjustable standing desks can be raised or lowered to suit your height.
• Encourages circulation: movement helps with blood flow which reduces your risk of heart disease. Sitting down for long periods can lead to health problems like blood clots, varicose veins, swollen ankles, cardiovascular disease, and more.
• Lowers risk of obesity: you burn more calories by simply standing up. That makes a standing desk a good calorie burning alternative to a sedentary seated position.
• Improved energy levels: standing up and moving around is good for your mental health too. In a clinical study, 87% of people using a standing desk benefitted from increased energy throughout their workday. It can be a real mood-booster.
• Strengthens the core: standing up engages your core. You’ll gently strengthen your abdominal area, which benefits your lower back too.
• Lessens blood sugar levels: a standing desk helps to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Standing up or moving helps to reduce your blood sugar levels after a meal.
• Increased oxygen and blood flow: physical movement encourages blood and oxygen to circulate around your body. That will improve your ability to concentrate. It prevents energy slumps, and means you’ll be more productive.

One size doesn’t fit all

We’re all different. That’s why ergonomic office furniture makes sense. Ergonomic office chairs are designed to enhance and support good posture. Importantly, they’re adjustable so that you can tailor the position to suit your size.

Whether you’re sitting or standing, you need a height-adjustable desk so that you can position it at the right level for you. The best standing desks are easy to adjust to the correct position for you. That means having the top of your computer screen at eye level, and your arms at a 90-degree angle.

Best of both worlds: sit-stand desks

Standing up all day brings its own health problems. Some tasks feel easier when you’re sitting down. A sit-stand desk allows you to choose the best position for a task. You may choose to stand up for online meetings, calls and firing off emails. But for more focused tasks, you may feel more comfortable in a seated position.

You can simply adjust your desk height to suit your seated or standing position. Mixing up your position throughout the day is a healthy choice. Sit-stand desks are a key feature of truly agile workspaces, encouraging people to move around frequently. That’s why more and more employers are choosing sit-stand desks for their teams.

Improve your teams’ wellbeing and productivity

We’ve helped many employers to redesign their workspace strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of their people. Our sit-stand desk is easy to assemble and simple to adjust. We also offer sit-stand tables to support flexible working environments. Pair them with a fully-adjustable office chair or task stool, providing the option to sit or stand throughout the workday.