Many studies have shown that sitting too much isn’t good for your health. Some of them even claim that people who sit a lot every day may have an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, not to mention problems with the spine and posture. Weight gain and obesity are also connected to a sedentary lifestyle because very few calories are being burned.
But what should you do if your job demands you to sit for hours? This is a huge problem for office workers. Luckily, standing desks are available and becoming more popular every day.
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What Is a Standing Desk?
Also called a stand-up desk, it is a desk that allows you to work while standing. Most versions are adjustable, meaning you can change the height, and they are called sit-stand desks. They allow you to alternate between sitting and standing. It appears that using a standing desk has many health benefits, and it increases productivity. Experts at Desky explain how its unique design results in optimal performance and reduces the chances of back pain and other harmful effects of sitting too much. Make sure to check out some of the accessories specially designed for standing desks to optimize your posture and comfort (e.g. special keyboards for keeping your wrists straight, monitor risers and arms, etc.).
If you are interested in this topic, please keep reading. Here are some awesome benefits of using standing desks, supported by science.
Reduced Back Pain
The most common problem of employees who sit a lot is back pain. Some studies have been done on office workers who suffer from long-term back pain, to determine how helpful standing desks would be. It turns out, a 32% improvement has been reported after only a few weeks.
A study conducted by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) published that back pain has reduced by an amazing 54% after a month. But, when they removed the standing desks, all the problems returned within a two week period.
Lower Risks of Weight Gain and Obesity
The science behind weight gain is simple – you are consuming more calories than you burn. But if you are eating healthy and in normal amounts, the lack of physical activity may cause you to gain a few extra pounds, in the long run. The best way to burn more calories is to exercise and be active throughout your day. This is where the standing desks come to your aid. Standing burns more calories than sitting. Just by standing, you will burn 170 additional calories. On a weekly level, it’s almost 1000 calories less, just from standing at your desk. Not to mention that, while standing you will move around more and be more active.
Lower Risks of Heart Disease
A study conducted by the National Institute of Health gives us an insight into the effect of sitting on heart health. This idea was proposed in 1935. when a group of scientists did a study on bus conductors and drivers. It turned out that conductors had a 50% less risk of heart disease than the drivers, only because they were on their feet all day.
Other studies have shown that a sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of heart disease by 147% and that physical activity after work hours does help, but can’t make up for all the negative effects of sitting for hours.
Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
It’s a fact that your blood sugar level increases after a meal, but if you suffer from insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes this can be very bad for your health.
Scientists have conducted a study in which ten office workers were standing for three hours after lunch. The results were amazing. Compared to the sitting workers, their blood sugar spike was reduced by 43%. Study number 2 shows us reduced blood sugar spikes by 11% if workers were altering sitting and standing every 30 minutes. The numbers are horrifying because they show sitting a lot every day increases the risk of diabetes by 112%.
Improves Mood, Energy, and Productivity
Now that we have discovered how standing desks may benefit your physical health, let’s focus on your mental health and overall well-being.
In just one week, 87% of workers using standing desks reported more energy, vigor, less stress, and fatigue. Isn’t that amazing? Psychologists claim that an active lifestyle and movement decrease risks of depression, anxiety, and other mental health-related issues. And, since the mood is better, the productivity and positive energy in the workplace is increasing.
If you plan to start using a standing desk, we guarantee you won’t regret it. Try splitting your time between sitting and standing 50-50. It will improve your metabolism, physical and mental health and change your lifestyle for the better.
