As health becomes an increasing concern in the corporate world, the world comes up with new and innovative ways to beat inactivity. One of the latest inventions is the standing desk.
Studies have shown that sitting a lot can lead to obesity, back and neck pains, and increased chances of heart attacks. Even people who exercise enough can face issues due to sitting too much. Unfortunately, most jobs nowadays are desk jobs.
Hence, standing desks are used. They help you elevate your computer so that you can stand and work. Thus, you are standing for a more significant part of the day.
Types of standing desks
All standing desks share the same basic concept: they keep you standing while working. However, there can be a few types:
1. Fixed height desks
These desks remain at your standing height. When you want to stand and work, you take your laptop to the desk, stand at it, and work.
2. Sit-stand desks
Sit-stand desks are much more convenient as their height can be adjusted. You can bring it lower when you want to sit or put it at a comfortable height when you wish to stand.
These can also be of two types:
- Manually operated ones that you have to lift using your hands or a lever.
- Electric ones that can be raised or lowered automatically.
3. Treadmill desks
These are a modified version of standing desks and take them to a whole new level. On these, you can walk, jog, or run while working.
Advantages of using a standing desk
Besides reducing the time you spend sitting, these desks have many uses.
● Burning more calories:
A study on calorie burn rates shows that depending on your age, sex, and height; you burn between 100 to 200 calories an hour when you stand. This is compared to burning only 80 to 100 calories when you sit. Hence, standing is healthier for you.
● Reduces back pain
Sitting for long periods can tighten your muscles and cause pain in your lower back. This pain is only worsened by bad posture. Although standing desks seem to relieve back pain, it is unclear how long you would have to use them.
● Increases productivity
During a research, call centre employees were surveyed, and a 45% productivity difference was noticed among employees with and without standing desks.
Although standing desks have reported a few cases of vein issues in the legs, they have proven to be mostly beneficial. The key to making the best use of this technology is striking a balance.
While sitting for too long can be dangerous, standing for too long also has its disadvantages. Hence, be sure to divide your time between sitting and standing. That way, both your back and your feet can thrive.
How to stand?
Ridiculous as it may sound, there is, in fact, a correct way to stand.
Be sure to move your standing desk so that your body is aligned. Your head, neck, and spine have to be in a straight line. Your elbows should be perpendicular to your wrists when kept flat on the desk.
If you use standing desks but do not maintain the correct posture, you will not be able to enjoy its benefits. Be sure also to walk around and stretch your legs once in a while.
