Standing desks have become very popular, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic where more employers and employees are working from home. Sitting at a desk all day at work or at home can be detrimental to the health of our bodies and minds. Therefore now, more than ever, a standing desk is the right way to go if you want to reap all the benefits of working whilst staying healthy!
This article serves as a guide for anyone wanting to dive into the world of standing desks and understand the countless benefits that are to be gained from using this ergonomic masterpiece!
What is a Standing Desk?
Also known as a stand-up desk, a standing desk allows you to work whilst comfortably standing. Standing up all day may sound uncomfortable and tiresome, but technology ensures comfort and ease of use.
Standing desks may be specialized to suit specific tasks such as architectural drawing, lecturing, or office work. Some standing desks may only be used while standing while others allow users to sit or stand by adjusting the desk height with an electric motor, hand crank, or counterbalance system.
Why Should You Buy a Standing Desk?
A quick internet search will bring you numerous web pages and articles about the revolutionary health benefits that have been researched. At the very least, you will eliminate the pains and aches of sitting down all day, but if that does not convince you enough then here are numerous reasons to buy a standing desk.
Sitting is Destroying Us!
Humans have evolved to stand up and are therefore more catered to standing rather than sitting. When we sit, our hip flexors become tight, our backs are over extended, and our cores are disengaged.
The result of all this is bad posture. Being desk bound causes anterior pelvic tilt, where your belt-line slopes forward, putting excess pressure on your lumbar spine. The modern human is therefore characterized as being hunched over with poor-posture, weak shoulders, and no balance!
Sit-Stand Desk
It may feel odd or uncomfortable to go from decades of sitting to suddenly standing. Do not fear! A sit-stand desk will ease you into the world of standing desks as it allows you to sit and stand!
A sit-stand desk can be easily adjusted to sitting or standing height. When considering seating for a sit-stand desk, you may consider an adjustable stool or saddle chair. They can be used whilst you alternate between sitting and standing at work. These chairs will help reduce fatigue by decreasing muscular effort and improving the alignment of the spine.
A sit-stand desk is the ergonomic transition that you need to end the pains of your current desk life!
Health Benefits of a Standing Desk
Lowers Your Risk of Weight Gain and Obesity
It is astonishing the differences in the number of calories burnt whilst sitting compared to standing or walking. According to Healthline when you stand, you burn anywhere from 100 to 200 calories an hour.
It all depends on your sex, age, height, and weight but sitting, by comparison, only burns 60 to 130 calories an hour. Throw away your journal of physical activity because this means you can burn an extra whopping 1000 calories each week by simply standing at your desk!
Do not get too excited as this does not mean you will go down two sizes in a week, but it means you can at least maintain your current weight and reduce health risks. The reason you burn more calories is because more muscles are engaged in standing and moving than sitting.
If you have a sit-stand desk, then the general rule is to start standing for 1 minute per 30 minutes of sitting and work from there. This will mean that in an 8-hour workday, you should stand for around 30 minutes. Each day add 10-15 minutes of standing time working your way up.
Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Typically, your blood sugar levels increase after eating a meal, and the more they increase, the worse it is for your health. Anyone with insulin resistance or type-2 diabetes know the struggle of maintaining sugar levels.
A standing desk may be a perfect aid to diabetics trying to get blood sugar levels down whilst at work. According to a study by PubMed Central, standing for 180 minutes after lunch reduces blood sugar spike by 43% compared to sitting for the same amount of time.
If you do not have diabetes, then a standing desk can help prevent it as excessive sitting is linked to a 112% greater risk of type-2 diabetes. Whether or not you are conscious about your blood sugar levels, a standing desk clearly benefits your sugar levels.
Lower Risk of Heart Disease
This was first found in 1953 where a study found that bus conductors who stood all day had half the risk of heart disease-related deaths than those sitting and driving. In fact, sitting can increase the risk of heart disease by 147%. Spending more time on your feet can negate those risks and ensure that your heart and circulatory system stay healthy.
Reduce Back Pain
It is quite common to hear from young adults or teenagers that they feel like they have the back pain of an 80-year-old! Whilst humorous, it does show a massive underlying problem in prolonged sitting.
Back pain is the most common complaint among students and office workers who sit all day. The good news is that this infliction is reversible as it was discovered that there was a 32% improvement in lower back pain after several weeks of using standing desks, and a 54% pain reduction in upper back pain after just a month (source).
Improve Mood and Energy
The constant pain of sitting has negative effects on the mindset of office workers and students. Alongside this, the fatigue in muscles caused by sitting and not moving tire you out and reduce your overall productivity.
Standing desks once again can greatly improve this! In a seven-week study, 87% of those using a standing desk reported an increase in happiness, energy, and vigor throughout the day. No longer will you be trying to run out the clock on the 9 to 5, as with a standing desk you will have an increased and healthier mindset, and a decreased risk of getting depression or anxiety.
In this current era where mental health is increasingly more important to the work environment, a standing desk can drastically help turn your workspace from hell into heaven.
Boost Productivity
Linking to the previous point, productivity is strongly linked with mood and happiness. We all have times where we are feeling down and don’t want to work. Standing desks can greatly improve your mood and your productivity at work!
Help You Live Longer
There are over 18 studies showing that workers who sit for hours and hours each day are at a 49% greater risk of dying early. Those experts claim that if you reduced your sitting time to 3 hours per day, it would raise your life expectancy by 2 years.
Reducing the amount of time you sit per day can improve your physical health, metabolic health, and mental health. The experts have spoken, but will you take a stand?
Using a Standing Desk Correctly
Here are some tips and tricks to maximize your comfort when using a standing desk:
Alternate Between Sitting and Standing
Sitting too much is bad for you, but this does not mean you can’t sit at all. As mentioned before, sit-stand desks are perfect for those wanting to transition or not fully commit to a standing desk. Having a balance between sitting and standing can ensure you maximize your comfort.
Adjust the Height
Purchasing a desk which has an adjustable height function will allow you to make sure the elevated desk best suits you. To begin, set your standing desk at about elbow height or slightly below. This means your elbows should be in a 90-degree position from the floor. As a guide, the average 5’11” (180 cm) person should have their desk about 44 inches (111 cm) high. Your screen should also be at a 20-degree tilt about 50-71 cm from your face.
Anti-Fatigue Mat
Also known as a comfort mat, an anti-fatigue mat is designed to help reduce fatigue and tiredness caused by standing for long periods of time on a hard surface. There are multiple variations of anti-fatigue mat but purchasing one which is between a quarter and one inch thick to cushion your feet is preferred.
There are variations in the cushioning material used which differ in what they can provide:
Foam anti-fatigue mats are popular, and budget-friendly compared to other materials. They are especially good for light uses at home such as in the kitchen or laundry room.
Foam rubber anti-fatigue mats are a multi-layered design which incorporates a foam core with a rubber shell. They are durable and can be used for longer use which is why they are commonly seen in offices, stores, or workshops.
Hard rubber anti-fatigue mats are ultra-durable and are very good at absorbing shock. If working on industrial floors, such as cement or tile, then this is especially useful.
Gel anti-fatigue mats are the most popular and effective option for office use. They feature a gel core with a durable and waterproof covering. They are especially designed to keep you mobile and prevent swelling, aches, and cramps.
Wrist and Arm Support
Working long hours sitting or standing can put strain on your wrists. The ideal wrist position differs slightly between standing and sitting. You should consider a wrist angle which is slightly more extended and tilted upwards when standing. Additionally, soft padding that attaches to your desk will provide comfortable arm support and reduce neck and shoulder ache.
Outop
Now that the benefits have been outlined, you probably want to know where to get your hands on a top quality, adjustable and comfortable standing desk. Outop has a wide range of standing desks on offer.
A popular standing desk is the Valnö. This crisp natural walnut with a snow white or truffle grey frame has anti-collision protection, cell phone APP with four memory positions, touch panel lock, Bluetooth, and an adjustable travel speed of 25 mm per second which ensures steady and safe elevation. The Valnö ensures comfort, ergonomics, vast usage, and class.
Visit our shop now to browse our collection of standing desks or contact us for any queries you may have about our products.
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