Sitting at a desk for millions of office workers globally forms a large part of their working day. However, this is widely known to contribute to various issues, from relatively mild muscle aches to severe and life-changing problems like heart disease and musculoskeletal issues caused by a repetitive strain injury. New studies are beginning to show that standing desks can help alleviate and, in some cases, eradicate some of these problems.
Standing at a desk to perform your work may be a little off-putting at first. Yet, more and more companies are adopting them as an alternative or replacement to traditional sitting desks. Sitting at a conventional desk for office work can contribute to or cause many of the harmful conditions associated with a sedentary lifestyle. While ergonomic furniture can help, most designs are limited in their adjustments.
Back and Spine Health
It has long been known that office workers doing their 9 to 5 sat behind a desk can develop severe back and spine issues. For example, a survey by NCBI found that 38% of office workers complained of lower back pain. Problems like this can develop because of constant pressure on the back caused by slouching at a desk for long periods in unsuitable chairs.
The simple act of standing to use a computer will relieve pressure on the back, neck and shoulders by forcing a better posture. This will make your leg, back, and core muscles support your body together rather than relying solely on your back and spine. In addition, the movements required at a standing desk works your back muscles and actively improves their health as you work.
Sustainable Materials
Desks and furniture, in general, are generally made from wood. But office desks can contribute to your sustainability goals and help reduce emissions. By switching to items that use particular types of wood and manufacturing techniques, you can improve your carbon footprint. For example, sustainable softwoods like pine and recycled engineered woods such as MDF.
Companies like Ergon Life manufacture their sustainable standing desks in a highly eco-friendly manner using FSC approved birch plywood. The nature of a standing desk means it doesn’t require expensive and exuberant hardwoods like oak or mahogany. Their light design also makes them highly portable. So, you can quickly move them from room to room or sites between projects.
To Maintain Energy Levels
If you have ever performed a job requiring you to sit at a desk, you know how easily you can become tired despite sitting. Likewise, constantly shifting your weight while staring at a screen for 8 hours per day will cause fatigue. These contribute to a sedentary lifestyle that increases serious problems such as anxiety and depression, gradually building to greater levels.
Working at a standing desk will help reduce fatigue by incorporating movement as you work. Subtle muscular movements as you shift while standing increases blood flow. This means that more oxygen is supplied to the brain, which results in an increase in energy levels. One 7 week study found that 87% of participants reported an increase in energy when standing.
Posture Correction
Sitting in a sedentary position for long periods can wreak havoc on your posture, especially if you don’t have the right chair or desk. Although ergonomic office furniture is required by law for any office worker, many simply aren’t adequate. And as humans, we simply aren’t meant to sit in confined positions for long periods in a cramped chair with limited space desks.
While standing, you are afforded a greater degree of freedom than when sitting at a desk. Standing at a desk forces your back into adopting its natural posture, which will correct existing issues and relieve back pain. Additionally, when using a standing desk, you can adjust all height levels, so you will never look up or down at a screen or over-reach for peripherals.
Avoid Musculoskeletal Issues
One of the worst effects of working at an inadequate desk in an office space for long periods is the risk and inevitable injury to your musculoskeletal system. This is usually presented as repetitive strain injury and can be extremely painful. Ergonomic chairs and desks are designed to reduce this type of injury, but they aren’t 100% effective. Standing desks can significantly reduce RSI.
Every part of a standing desk is fully adjustable. This means you can keep your PC monitor or laptop screen completely level with your eyes. Additionally, you can adjust the keyboard and mouse surface to stay just below elbow level. Because of this, there is no chance of muscle strain, and therefore musculoskeletal issues related to RSI are significantly reduced.
Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Numerous things contribute to heart disease. Poor diet, minimal exercise and genetics play a role in heart attack and stroke-causing illness. A sedentary job such as driving a vehicle, sitting at a cash register or typing at an office desk all day are among the worst for decreased movement. Reduced movement in this way can contribute to CHD.
A recent study found that those who sit for only two hours more per day for their job will increase the chances of developing heart disease by 125%. This alone makes a case for incorporating some standing into your working environment if you must work at a desk for a large part of your day. This can be further helped with regular cardio exercise. If you do have concerns about your heart health, you could go for a pulse oximetry test to measure the oxygen saturation in your blood in order to detect whether or not there is a problem that needs treatment to help get things back on track.
Promote an Active Work Ethic
Sitting at a desk in a reclined position is proven to lower energy and decrease mood levels. In addition, sedentary work can increase or exacerbate severe issues like anxiety and depression. Clearly, this isn’t helpful in any work environment and will decrease enjoyment while at work. On the other hand, standing at a desk increases energy levels and positivity while enjoying sociable work.
For the most part, we stand when interacting with others while at work. The increased energy levels of standing at a desk promote social interaction with others with many benefits, such as serotonin production. Serotonin increases your sense of wellbeing while at work while reducing anxiety and depression. This, in turn, allows you to work harder for longer.
Truly Ergonomic Design
The study of ergonomics is an ongoing process. While many offices worldwide try their best to provide ergonomic furniture, some are simply inadequate. For example, height-adjustable chairs and desks can only go so far, and even the best intentions can provide no health benefits at all if improperly used. In short, everything needs to be adjustable to improve health.
With the best standing desks, everything is adjustable. Adjustments include screen position, standing height and keyboard and mouse reach. Using sliders, you can fully adjust every aspect of a standing desk. This allows the desk to accommodate your body, posture and standing positions rather than the other way around. Contorting yourself around your work environment is proven to be harmful to your body.
Increased Productivity
When you switch to a standing desk, you might feel a little out of place at first. If you have been sitting at a desk for years, then you might feel some strain on your legs as you get used to the increased demands on your muscles. However, this is temporary, and once you get comfortable with the idea, you will quickly see a boost in productivity.
There is no evidence that standing at a desk will decrease or increase your effectiveness at typing or using a mouse. However, the increased energy and mood levels (which have been proven) allow you to concentrate for more extended periods. However, as with traditional computer jobs, you should still take regular breaks away from your desk and screen.
Easier Collaboration
Almost all office settings require effective communication and collaboration. Efficient collaboration aims to boost productivity for all to contribute to a better workplace and increased production. Unfortunately, this often involves moving expensive or bulky equipment, sending tedious emails or writing reports. These are established yet inefficient collaboration methods of the workplace.
The modern office needs something better. Standing desks are made of lightweight materials and are usually designed to be very portable. This means they can be easily moved from one location to another. This makes them an ideal choice for collaborative meetings when used with other mobile items like laptops, where creative sessions can be initiated almost anywhere.
To Summarize
Perhaps it’s time to make a stand, as it were. Every industry undergoes a revolution at some point. The severe issues caused by sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day cannot be understated. The increased risk of CHD alone should allow you to at least consider switching to a standing desk. Yet, the proven health benefits are worth a try.
If you suffer from musculoskeletal injuries or RSI, then you know how painful and debilitating these can be. However, standing desks can vastly reduce the pain and stress of your limbs, muscles and bones because every part is adjustable. This, in turn, increases energy levels and elevates your mood, resulting in better work performance where you don’t need to worry about pain.