Credit: UPLIFT Desk
As the hours tick away, we’ve all been there, crouched over a computer, typing, back aching, shoulders strained. If you’ve ever been in this situation, you’ve probably considered the benefits of standing at work.
Standing desks and treadmill workstations have become increasingly popular in recent years. According to a recent study of HR professionals, the use of adjustable standing desks as an employer-provided workplace perk increased by 7% in the previous year. Offering a standing desk is one of those wellness choices that are simple for companies to embrace and that has a significant positive impact on employee morale.
One of our major goals at the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin is to assist you in working comfortably and safely. Your back health is important to us. Learn about standing desk ergonomics to avoid back strain and the effects of too much computer use. Before we go into the benefits of standing at work, let’s define what a standing desk is. Also, you can see the best Varidesk Pro Plus 36 Standing Desk Review
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What is Standing Desk?
A standing desk, often known as a stand-up desk, is a workstation that allows you to work while standing up comfortably.
Many current models are adjustable stands, allowing you to modify the desk’s height and alternate between sitting and standing. Height-adjustable workstations, or sit-stand desks, are what they’re called.
Although research is still in its early stages, it appears that utilizing a standing workstation can provide significant health advantages. It has the potential to boost productivity. At the absolute least, employing this style of workstation helps mitigate the negative consequences of excessive sitting.
Here are the 7 benefits of Standing Desk that may Surprise you
1. Standing reduces your chances of gaining weight and being obese
Even if you just stand still, standing burns more calories than sitting. The difference in calories between standing and sitting isn’t large. Standing burns between 100 and 200 calories per hour, whereas sitting burns between 60 and 130 calories per hour. However, it might mount up over time.
The adjustment in your mentality is another calorie-burning effect of standing at work. You’re more likely to keep your mind in “fitness mode” while you’re standing up. Throughout the day, you’ll take a few additional walks. You may perform some leg lifts squats or jumping jacks for a little break. These minor changes in exercise allow you to burn more calories throughout the day.
2. Gives you a burst of energy
A standing desk encouraged workers to spend more time on their feet, according to a review of 53 research published in the Applied Ergonomics journal. Spending just an hour of their workday standing resulted in 66 % feeling more productive and 87 % feeling more energetic, according to UK researchers. They created the Smart Work and Life initiative to encourage office workers to be more active as a result of the findings.
Throughout the day, little motions and energetic moments help you stay awake and attentive. When you “think on your feet,” you feel more involved. If you’re feeling sluggish during the day, standing for a few minutes will help you reclaim some of your energy and excitement.
3. Improves Posture
Using a standing desk with suitable ergonomics might assist you in maintaining a healthy computer posture. Your monitor should be roughly 20 inches from your face and tilted at a 20-degree angle, with your arms bent at 100-degree angles at your sides. Wrists should be comfortably above the keyboard, and weight should be evenly distributed between legs.
Standing often will make the proper posture position second nature, and it will relieve the compression on your spine that sitting may cause. Sitting for longer lengths of time can put a strain on your back and discs, causing back, shoulder, and neck pain.
4. Reduces Back Pain
Back pain, like bad posture, may appear to be caused by sitting, but it’s not something you have to live with or accept as a part of your job. You will most likely alleviate your mild back discomfort if you use a comfortable chair with back and lumbar support and alternate intervals of standing.
Back pain affects 8 out of 10 people at some point in their life, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Whether your discomfort doesn’t go away after a few basic posture modifications, it’s time to contact one of our orthopedic experts to determine if you need further help.
5. Helps with Wrist Position
If you’ve ever typed while sitting with a laptop on your lap, you’ve noticed how your wrists begin to droop and “rest” on your keyboard. This might cause wrist discomfort and strain. When wrists are kept in improper posture, sufferers with carpal tunnel syndrome, a pinched nerve in the wrist, may experience additional difficulty (contrary to common assumption, there is no link between keyboard use and CTS).
It’s important to be aware of your wrist posture and body tension when working. You can keep your arms pleasantly bent at a 90-100-degree angle if you utilize a standing workstation. This is a more ergonomic stance, and it may even help you type faster!
6. Keeps Circulation Going
Our bodies were designed to move, according to human evolution. Our leg muscles, balance, and core strength all increase when we stand. We also prevent blood clots in the legs from developing. Blood may slow and pool in the legs when people sit for lengthy periods (such as on an aircraft). In the worst-case scenario, this may result in a blood lot.
We move our legs and get the blood circulating throughout our bodies when we stand up. People who sat for lengthy periods of time had decreased life spans in several studies due to poor cardiovascular health. Standing is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle.
7. Boost your Mood and Focus
Finally, if your workday feels long and you’re often distracted, standing up can help you focus and improve your mood, allowing you to be more productive. People who stood up at work in a call center were 50 % more productive, according to Texas A&M University research.
Standing makes us feel healthier, and while we’re feeling well, we’re more likely to be in a good mood. As a side advantage of standing at work, participants in standing studies at work have reported increased mood. So, if you’re having a slow day at work, get moving!
We aim to help you work, play, and live pain-free at the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin. Please contact us for an evaluation if you are experiencing discomfort at work. We can make it easier for you to move and work.
