Office Design
Why You Should Choose Standing Desks Over Regular Desks
Guide to Standing Desk Converters in the Workplace
- The Evolution of the Sit-to-Stand Desk
- Are Standing Office Desks Good for You?
- Learn How to Use an Adjustable Standing Desk
- The Bolstering Benefits of Standing at Your Desk
Workstations Are Taking a Stand with the Evolution of the Sit-to-Stand Desk
Sitting for extended periods is bad for you. There’s no way around it. If you sit for most of the day, your heart, mind and body are at risk. Whether it’s to keep muscle fatigue, back pain or frustration at bay, you need to move to keep yourself and your body happy and healthy.
The good news is you can do something about it. You can combat the effects of immobility by switching to a mobile workstation. Standing desk converters enable desk workers to switch between sitting and standing to refresh their minds and bodies. You may be wondering whether standing is better than sitting. Well, we have an answer.
According to a recent study, sitting can cause discomfort and lead to a range of health complications. Being sedentary, whether standing or sitting, for extended periods, is almost equally detrimental to your health. Luckily, there is a solution. Switching between positions and challenging gravity with an upright position every 30-minutes can negate many of the negative effects that are associated with working in an office.
Watch the Evolution of the Sit-to-Stand Desk
So, Is it True, Are Standing Office Desks Good for You?
The truth is, a balance between sitting, standing and stepping (getting exercise) will hit the sweet spot. Varying between sitting and standing positions can lower back and neck pain. A standing desk converter can alleviate some symptoms associated with sedentary lifestyles.
But what makes an adaptable workstation vital is that it enables movement. We were made for moving, which is why it’s essential not to skimp out on your daily walk.
Adding time spent upright into your work routine may help to regulate blood sugar levels and lessen some of the health risks associated with sitting for long periods. However, it’s important not to sit or stand for longer than two hours at a time.
A combination of sitting and standing will give the best results at the end of your (not-so-backbreaking) day. Discover the benefits of adjustable standing desks below.
Learn How to Use an Adjustable Standing Desk to Get the Best from Your Workstation
Get the most value from your new workspace by making sure your posture and the position of your monitor, keyboard and screen is correct. Here is a handy guide that will help to enhance your standing work experience:
#1 Adjust the Sit-to-Stand Desk Surface to Match Your Height
To get the most benefits from your sit-to-stand workspace, choose a desk that is height adjustable or a standing desk converter. Find the best height for your worktop by standing upright with your elbows at a 90-degree angle. The desk’s surface should sit just underneath your elbows whether you’re sitting or standing. All Office has a wide variety of standing desks on offer.
#2 Correct Screen Height
Don’t look down, look forward. A monitor that is too low will put pressure on your neck and shoulders. The best possible position will ensure you’re more comfortable throughout the day. Ensure your monitor is directly below your eye level.
If you need to tip your head up or down, adjust the monitor until your head and neck are at a natural resting position. Also, distance matters. Your screen must be at least elbow-to-hand length away from your face. The ideal distance is 50-70cm.
#3 Perfect Posture
Maintain good posture to ensure sitting or standing is as comfortable as possible. Stand upright, pull your shoulders back slightly and keep your knees soft as you balance your weight equally between your two feet. As a rule of thumb, pick the posture that feels good and comes naturally. Slouching doesn’t count.
#4 Underfoot Support
Ditch heels if you plan on using your standing desk. Standing will put pressure on your lower limbs. So, wear supportive orthopaedic shoes and stand on an office accessory like an anti-fatigue mat that minimises the possibility of fatigue and joint pain.
#5 Alternate Between Sitting and Standing
To get the most out of standing up at work, you need balance. Since standing is also a stationary action, it’s important not to overdo it. Stick to one hour of standing for every one to two hours of sitting.
#6 Move More
There is no way around it. Movement is essential to human health. Go for a short walk regularly. Going to the coffee machine or bathroom also counts, but make sure you’re on your feet every 30 minutes.
An active break not only helps your heart, but it also clears your mind and can help you find a new perspective on challenging problems in the office. You can also include office exercises to increase your physical health.
The Bolstering Benefits of Standing at Your Desk
Surprise! A sit-to-stand desk has more benefits than its traditional counterpart. Getting up has never been more vital. As our world gets more connected, we stay online for most of our waking existence. Our connectedness means that we’re often sedentary to get things done, especially when it comes to earning an income.
But life at work does not have to be unhealthy. Whether you’re working from home, in a local coffee shop or in a large company, your work station can move with you.
1. Being on Your Feet Burns More Calories Than Sitting
Although you won’t see a significant drop on your scale due to standing at work, there won’t see an increase either. According to a study on standing-based office work, when it comes to calories, standing trumps sitting by burning 170 more calories. For this reason, standing can lower the chance of weight gain.
Ideally, to give your body the movement it needs, you need to switch between sit and stand positions at 30-minute intervals throughout your day. The combination of sit-stand work and a daily walk will have you feeling better and more productive in no time.
2. Balancing Blood Sugar Levels
After snacks and meals, blood sugar levels rise. A high increase in these levels is not good for your health. But standing after eating decreases the blood sugar spike, especially in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, a study on sitting and standing indicated that 30-minutes intervals led to an 11.1 percent decrease in blood sugar spikes.
3. Increase Heart Health
A sedentary lifestyle can wreak havoc on your cardiovascular system. On the other hand, more time on your feet can make your heart happy. An hour’s exercise each day may not be enough to combat the negative effects of sitting or standing for eight hours; that’s why you need to adjust the way you work.
Take a stand. Moving from a seated to standing position and vice versa every 30 minutes can lower your risk of heart disease.
4. Reduces Pain and Increases Comfort
Muscle fatigue and skeletal discomfort pester office workers across the globe and can be a productivity killer. Beat this fate by changing up positions with an adjustable stand desk that can reduce back, neck and muscle pain.
One study shows that spending less time sitting not only decreases back and neck pain but also improves employee mood within four weeks.
5. Enhances Mood and Energy
According to a study, sit-stand office workers reported having lower stress levels and a better mood than their seated counterparts. This improved mental state may be connected to a decrease in pain.
6. Increased Productivity
Numerous studies indicate that switching between sitting and standing during office hours improves overall wellbeing, physically and mentally. In fact, this improvement can even cause an upsurge in productivity.
All Office: Your Quality Standing Desk Supplier
Now that you’ve learnt about all the benefits a sit-to-stand desk offers, you may want to invest in some for your office. All Office is a quality ergonomic office furniture supplier in Cape Town with a vast distribution network across Africa.
Get in touch and find out how we can help your office become more ergonomic and healthy today: