Why invest in a sit/stand desk?
It’s been known for many years that sitting in the same position for 8 hours or more a day is bad for us, and the increasing awareness of the health risks associated with prolonged sitting is boosting the demand for sit/stand desking solutions.
For most of us, when we’re awake and not moving about, we’re sitting. (Either at work or at home). When sitting the electrical activity in muscles drops, which can lead to harmful metabolic effects. For example, the rate in which calories are burnt immediately drops to around one per minute, a third of what it would be if you were up and walking. As well as this, insulin effectiveness drops within a single day, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes rises, which then increases the risk of obesity. The workplace is the biggest contributor of sedentary lifestyles with most people sitting for up to 10 hours a day. Finding a way to tackle the problems associated with prolonged sitting is an important issue that needs to be accepted and solved. The solution is to change day-to-day behaviour in the workplace and introducing sit/stand desks to employees is key to healthier working practices.
A sit/stand desk simply refers to a workstation that can be adjusted in height by the user, so they can carry out every day work tasks while sitting down or standing up. It’s recommended that working positions should be changed from sitting to standing every 20 to 30 minutes. This can help to eliminate the chances of developing any of the long-term health risks associated with prolonged sitting.
Recent studies have found that investing in sit/stand desking solutions can increase happiness, wellbeing and overall staff productivity. Plus, less ‘sick days’ at the expense of the employer. As well as this, some extra benefits associated with sit/stand desks are as follows;
- Existing back problems can be relieved by standing at differing heights throughout the day.
- People of different heights can easily adjust their desk according to their specific needs. (This is particularly beneficial for taller people as it prevents stooping).
- Comfort for everyone as the desk heights can be adjusted to suit anyone at any height.
- Standing helps to keep blood circulating around the body, which also helps to keep your blood sugars regulated and in-turn keep your blood pressure lower.
For anyone who has not used a sit/stand desk before, the idea of standing and working can be quite odd. But employees soon learn which tasks they can carry out in which positions. For example; telephone calls can be taken whilst standing at the desk and more tasking and concentrating work can be done whilst sitting down.
There is a real benefit to a healthier and happier workplace, and it’s evident that there are many benefits of investing in sit/stand desks and the wellbeing that is associated with them
