It’s 2017, and by now you’ve probably heard that sitting too much can lead to a variety of health problems. We’ve put together a list of ways that using an adjustable standing desk can help you improve your health.
James Levine, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic, says, “The default has become to sit. We need the default to be standing.” He and other scientists note that most people sit all day, with very short walks to the restroom, to the break room, or to the parking lot. And evidence suggests that brief exercise won’t counteract the negative effects of hours of sitting.
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Improved Posture. Even the best office chair won’t keep you at perfect posture all day—over time, you probably end up slumping or slouching in one direction or another. Maybe you’ll lean forward, hunching over your keyboard, or rest your chin on one of your hands while you read what’s onscreen. Poor posture can lead to back pain from straining your neck, as well as to herniated discs, and even overall muscle weakness.
You can not only help improve your posture but also add more physical activity to your workday by using an adjustable standing desk. When you can adjust the height of your desk, you can use it while sitting or standing. Alternating your position from standing to sitting during your workday can help you maintain better posture, which in turn can alleviate back pain.
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Increased Physical Activity. Standing burns more calories than sitting. You might need some time to work your way up to standing while working, and that’s where an adjustable height desk comes in. These desks move vertically to the ideal position for you no matter whether you’re sitting or standing. Work toward a goal of standing for about half your workday, but don’t overdo it, or try to do it all at once! Wear comfortable shoes and gradually increase the time you spend standing. You can even try using a timer like the one at standingclock.com to track the time you stand during the day.
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Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease. Sitting all day seems to be related to reducing the body’s effectiveness in regulating blood sugar known as metabolic syndrome, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that “All adults, and particularly those with type 2 diabetes, should decrease the amount of time spent in daily sedentary behavior.” Additionally, a recent Kaiser Permanente study suggested that men who spent at least five hours a day sitting had twice the risk of heart failure when compared to those who sit less than two hours a day and exercise often.
An adjustable height desk can help you move more, improve your posture, and help prevent disease. That’s a pretty compelling reason to give standing while working a try.