Did you know that a person who has a desk job may spend seven to ten hours a day sitting down rather than sleeping? About ten years ago, the standing desk gained popularity as an attempt to break this sedentary behavior. How well, so to speak, has that solution held up over time? Here, we will go through some of the main health advantages of using a standing desk.
Exercise by itself cannot reverse the negative effects of excessive sitting, which include an increased risk of obesity and other health problems. Standing up occasionally while working can burn enough more calories to reduce some of that danger. It still applies even if your job is primarily a desk job.
Due to the way chairs can affect your circulation, one of the biggest negative effects of prolonged sitting is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. You will have more energy and improved circulation if you are standing and moving throughout the day.
Exercise gives you more energy and a better mood, which is one of its best-known advantages. Even if all you do is choose to stand instead of sit, this is still true. A better working day is one in which everyone is more energetic and productive.
Although a standing desk has many obvious advantages, it is not a panacea. Any office solution that fundamentally alters your way of life requires research.
Frequently standing can have its own health hazards, particularly if your body isn't prepared for it. You might need to gradually adapt to working standing up.
It's crucial to make sure a standing desk is positioned correctly. It can cause issues if the ergonomics are off or if the necessary accessories, like cushioning to prevent foot soreness, are not present.
You might wish to switch between sitting and standing. Try a sit-stand desk that allows you to split the difference if you can't stand for seven or eight hours a day.
Standing Desks: Science-Based Arguments for the Pros and Cons
Health professionals have studied ways to promote daily physical activity as a result of the growth in lifestyle diseases in the population.
That inquiry has led to two questions: is working at a desk healthy, and if not, how can this be resolved?
According to research, it's not beneficial to spend a lot of time sitting down each day, which is the answer to the first query.
What can you do to "repair" this problem, given that it is your responsibility as an employer to take reasonable measures to ensure the health and safety of your employees?
The spinal discs in the spine experience pressure as a person moves from a standing to a sitting position, according to studies. Additionally, prolonged sitting causes the discs to protrude. One may have back pain while sitting due to the pressure and swelling.
Long periods of sedentary activity are a result of extended sitting. Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues are all predisposed by a sedentary lifestyle.
Your blood glucose levels return to normal more quickly if you stand up just after eating than if you stay seated.
Standing helps your spine stay healthy since there is less strain on the discs. Consequently, you will feel reduced shoulder ache or back pain. Standing makes your pain and discomfort worse while sitting makes it worse if you have radiologic lumbar instability or a noticeable anterior loss of disc space.
Why Do We Prefer to Sit Over Stand?
The sit-stand desks were utilised by one-third of the staff members on a regular basis, one-third occasionally, and one-third not at all. People who didn't use the sit-stand desks gave their explanations for why they thought they were distracting, uncomfortable, and impractical.
Another factor is that sitting for meals, meetings, or social occasions has developed into a societal norm. Participants in a study who were compelled to stand throughout meetings reported feeling as though they were going against social standards. It is imperative that you accept employees who choose to stand by their colleagues as the norm.
But it's true that some tasks, especially those requiring fine motor abilities, are best carried out while seated.
How Do I Make the Switch to a Stand-In Desk?
If a worker has always sat at work and decides to stand all day tomorrow, their body will protest by hurting in the back, thighs, legs, and feet.
So it would be beneficial if they progressively adopted standing. Start by standing for a half-hour, then an hour, and gradually build up.
Employees shouldn't stand for more than four hours at a time. They may move back and forth between standing and sitting even during this period. They don't have to stay up all day to get the rewards.
Additionally, include more sit-stand transitions.
Encourage your staff to let their coworkers know they plan to stand up during meetings or other gatherings so that no one feels awkward or uncomfortable.
Last but not least, instruct staff to take a break and sit down anytime they feel excruciating agony or discomfort.
Issues with Standing Desks
There are drawbacks to standing workstations. There are a few drawbacks.
Your back suffers when you stand still for an extended period of time.
Working from a standing position increases the chance of developing varicose veins. A study found that 95% of patients admitted to hospitals for varicose veins had jobs that required a lot of standing. Long periods of standing weaken the walls and valves of the veins in the legs of workers because blood accumulates there.
Long-term standing-related blood pooling increases the risk of venous insufficiency and several cardiovascular issues.
Standing for an extended period of time when pregnant has been linked to spontaneous or preterm births.
Bunions, swollen feet, disturbed blood flow, flat feet, heel spurs, arthritis, stiffness, and Achilles tendonitis are additional signs of prolonged standing.
In conclusion, promote frequent movement within the office and encourage your staff to avoid sitting at their desks for extended periods of time in order to promote workplace wellbeing.
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