Why standing desks, you ask? Standing desks are the trend and the craze these days. They’re popping up everywhere from big companies like Google. Big companies have made the switch to standing desks for their employees, to small businesses looking for an affordable way to improve employee health. But why exactly is this trend so popular? What does a standing desk offer that sitting down doesn’t?
If you need help with your setup in general, check out our ultimate guide on desk setups.
If you help with choosing a standing desk, we have a full guide on all the things you should look out for when choosing a standing desk.
Here’s what you need to know about ergonomics and how they affect your health and productivity:
Why standing desks provide better posture and a healthier spine
Given how unhealthy it is, sitting is referred to be “the new smoking.” Your body becomes stiff, sore, and exhausted when you sit for extended periods of time. Losing the natural curve in your back can cause pain and discomfort. Maintaining a straight posture may keep your spine in good health by keeping your head in the proper position above your shoulders.
We all know how important good posture is. And it’s true, standing desks can help improve your posture by forcing you to be more aware of the way you’re sitting or standing. But as with most things in life, there’s an exception: If you’re not careful about maintaining proper form when standing and working at a desk, your back will probably hurt after a while—ironic since the point of having one is to avoid hurting yourself!
The key here is having a chair nearby and sitting down every once in a while throughout the day (ideally no longer than 10 minutes). Remember that standing all day isn’t healthy either!
Burning more calories
One of the most common health issues is poor circulation, which can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, blood clots and other cardiovascular problems. While sitting for long periods of time does not cause poor circulation by itself, it can contribute to it by increasing your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. This is a condition where blood clots form in your deep veins because you’re immobile for too long. A standing desk can help improve circulation by encouraging you to move around more throughout the day. If nothing else, it’ll make lunchtime at work more interesting!
You’re on the right track if you’ve been considering acquiring a standing desk because it’s good for your health. Studies have shown that standing burns more calories than either sitting or walking, which makes sense, given how much more energy is needed to move your body while standing. Standing burns around 10% more calories per hour than walking at 3 mph and about 15% more calories per hour than sitting (about the same pace as if you were jogging). At first sight, that might not seem like much, but bear with us—those extra minutes add up. If you stand for 8 hours each week instead of sitting all day long—and let’s say that adding 5 pounds to your weight is equal to burning an extra 200 calories every day—then after 30 days of standing versus sitting, that adds up to 1 pound lost! As shown in this Harvard report – while standing, an individual can burn 88 calories an hr
Depending on factors like body weight and level of activity, the number of calories burned while standing varies; however, generally speaking, most people who weigh 175 pounds burn between 25 and 30% fewer calories when they’re sitting down than when they’re actively participating in some sort of activity (like exercising). For instance, a person who weighs an average of 175 pounds and exercises energetically for 20 minutes while standing three times per week (40 minutes total) would expend around 60% less energy than someone who exercises while sitting down the entire time.
Improved circulation
Standing is also good for circulation. Blood circulation typically slows down dramatically if you spend the entire day sitting still. Blood flow can drastically increase if you stand up every so often throughout the day (for example, when taking a quick break or taking notes).
Poor circulation is one of the most prevalent health problems, and it can cause a variety of conditions, such as heart disease, blood clots, and other cardiovascular disorders. Even though prolonged durations of sitting do not directly cause poor circulation, they can help by raising your risk of deep vein thrombosis. Because you are immobile for an extended period of time, this condition causes blood clots to form in your deep veins. By encouraging you to walk around more during the day, a standing desk can aid with circulation. At the very least, it will spice up lunchtime at work!
Better mood
Consider switching to a standing desk if you’re feeling sad. According to research, individuals who work upright all day have less trouble with their mental health than those who sit all day.
Your body will be happier and it will be simpler for you to feel joyful in general the healthier it is. In addition, sitting at a desk all day (or night) can cause monotony and boredom, which can result in stress and weariness. A standing desk can help counteract these symptoms. Consider getting up and moving around every hour or so if you’re feeling stressed out and overburdened by work-related duties; this can help maintain blood circulating through your body more effectively than simply sitting whole day
Increased productivity
Standing desks improve productivity significantly. Working at a standing desk allows you to concentrate and think more clearly. Your body can move more freely and effortlessly when you’re standing up, which helps your brain stay attentive and focused on your task. You can move around the room and take breaks as needed rather than hunching over a computer screen. Working at a standing desk will make you feel less worn out than if you were sitting all day, which is good for productivity.
You can also improve your productivity by optimising your desk setup so it’s less cluttered. If you need some help with that, check out our all-essentials guide for home office setups.
Research shows that standing desks can have a number of health benefits including better posture, increased calorie burn, and improved circulation.
According to research, standing workstations can improve posture, increase calorie burn, and improve circulation, among other health advantages. Over an eight-hour workday, one study revealed that standing desk users burned 33% more calories than those who sat at a standard desk, and a different study discovered that standing while working increased circulation by up to 50%. Standing desks boost mood and productivity by enticing you to get up and walk around more frequently. Try switching to a standing desk for five minutes the next time you’re feeling sleepy or bored at work; you could discover that you come back feeling revitalized and ready to go!
What are my thoughts and recommendations?
I think that the ergonomic benefits of a standing desk are the best way to ensure that you have a healthy and safe workstation.
I think it is very important to take care of your body and mind by ensuring a healthy work environment. Installing a standing desk in your office is one way to ensure that you are taking care of yourself and avoiding injury.
Choosing one that works for you is straightforward if you can afford it, believe in its benefits, and believe there won’t be any significant adverse effects. These desks don’t even need to be pricey; you can really make them on your own without much difficulty and end up saving money. The good news is that you can easily locate them at a variety of price ranges; even if you don’t think you can afford a full-fledged desk, there are still solutions available that can be useful.
We hope this article has inspired you to start standing for your work. You may want to check out our article on best standing desks on Amazon here:
