Feeling chained to your desk chair? While many jobs involve using a computer all day, you’re not alone. To compensate for a sedentary job, you might find yourself flocking to the gym or the yoga mat after work. While a standing desk isn’t an alternative for exercise, imagine not feeling stiff at the end of a workday from sitting all day long. This is where a standing desk comes in.
From helping to increase work productivity and improve office culture to providing real physical benefits like boosting blood flow as well as promoting bone and joint health, the benefits of standing desk users reap can make a world of a difference in your life.
First things first – what exactly is a standing desk? Put simply, it’s an adjustable desk that allows you to sit or stand during your workday. It goes by many names – standing desk, adjustable desk, standing computer desktop, standup desk, sit-stand desk, electric standing desk, uplift desk, or sit-stand workstation.
Electric standing desks have an incredible advantage over manually adjustable sit-stand workstations when it comes to convenience, speed, and performance. Although more expensive, they are the preferred type of stand-up desk because of their unmistakable ease of use. Different versions of height-adjustable desks have a wide range of amazing capabilities and accessories. They come in various textiles and designs, including heavy-duty steel and reclaimed wood.
Are standing desks good for you?
Absolutely! Alternating between sitting and standing at your workstation is good for your physical and mental health. Sitting down for long periods of time is detrimental for your bones, muscles, heart, and overall health. The simple act of standing up more often and cutting back on the hours spent sedentary / slumped in your desk chair will change your life for the better.
People who work from home can also enjoy the benefits of a standing desk. When working from home, the temptation to stay in your pajamas and work in a sedentary environment all day is strong. However, movement is very important for everyone, which is why a stand-up desk can be a great addition to any work-from-home setup. Having an option for a standing desk provides a way for home and office workers to mitigate the health risks of excessive sedentary time.
Perhaps you’re wondering what standing desk benefits can be yours. There are numerous health and wellness benefits that come from using a standing desk. Discover a few of the essential adjustable desk health benefits below!
1. Boosts Productivity
One of the most impressive stand-up desks benefits in an office is that they can improve overall work performance and morale. Small changes, such as having weekly standing meetings, will encourage a better overall office culture and foster camaraderie among colleagues.
Specifically, the ergonomic design of the Yaasa Adjustable Desk can help improve productivity in users. Similar to a regular desktop with associated keyboard and mouse, our standing desk still allows users to do their jobs, but more efficiently with increased focus and mental alertness.
2. Reduces lower back pain
Research demonstrates that approximately 80% of adults in the workforce will experience back pain and neck pain from sitting down for long periods, at least once in their lives. As back pain is a common complaint from sedentary office workers, many people want to know whether a standing desk will help with the pain. The answer is yes! The use of height-adjustable sit-stand desks reduces back pain in office workers by 54%, according to a 2011 “Take A Stand” project.
3. Helps with weight loss
Weight gain is often caused by unhealthy eating and/or overeating. However, another cause of obesity and excessive weight gain is living a sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary living doesn’t necessarily mean being a couch potato. It can also mean spending more time sitting at work – and not doing any physical activity to offset the immobility. A benefit of standing desk use is that it encourages movement. Studies show that utilizing a standing desk can lower the body mass index (BMI) of both adults and children.
A mainstay of weight loss is to take in less calories than you are burning. While it may sound basic, standing burns more calories than sitting. Naturally, using a standing desk will allow you to burn more calories and lower your risk for obesity. By combining this with a reasonable diet and regular exercise, you are on the right path to a healthier body.
4. Averts metabolic syndrome
Sitting for hours and hours causes irreparable damage to your health. One of the reasons for this is long periods of sitting are associated with slowing down your metabolism. The longer you sit rather than stand, the more fat will accumulate in your liver, heart, and brain.
Metabolic syndrome is an umbrella term used for all the conditions that escalate the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Standing workstation benefits include helping you burn calories, and activating the systems in your body that process cholesterol, blood sugar, and triglycerides.
5. Reduces the risk of some cancers
Some forms of cancer are linked to long hours of sitting and a sedentary lifestyle. This includes colon and breast cancer, two common and potentially deadly diseases. While there is no direct causation in standing more often and preventing cancer, we know for a fact that an active, healthy lifestyle promotes improved overall health. There’s no harm in cultivating the healthy habit of standing more often, especially if your genetics make you predisposed to cancer.
6. Lowers your risk for heart disease
Excessive time spent sitting down will put you at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases. This includes coronary heart disease, heart attack, and congestive heart failure. A theory put forth by the American Heart Association says that not using your muscles enough results in the suppression of the enzyme called lipoprotein lipase. This is the enzyme responsible for converting bad cholesterol into good cholesterol. As such, someone with a sedentary lifestyle puts themselves at risk for heart and high cholesterol-related health problems.
7. Lowers blood sugar levels
We are probably all too familiar with the steps to take to avoid diabetes: maintain a healthy weight, limit sugar intake, don’t smoke cigarettes, and regular exercise. Medical researchers have added one other thing to the list: avoid sitting for a large amount of time. Standing up every 20-30 minutes to break a stretch of inactivity will help prevent Type 2 Diabetes. While sitting down has very low energy expenditure, standing up intermittently will help your body process blood sugar in order to prevent it from spiking.
8. Prevents neck strain
Prolonged desk sitting sessions usually entail craning your neck towards your computer. This position forms a “C” shape posture that can put a strain on your neck. The aches and pains may be negligible at first, but over time it can lead to more consistent and potentially escalating discomfort. A standing computer desk at work can be very helpful in minimizing this position, as standing vertically straightens your spine and places your computer screen at eye level.
9. Relieves chronic pain
Long periods of time spent in a sitting position can cause notable discomfort, not just to the back and neck, but also to the legs and feet. Since our bodies are designed for moving, improper positioning can create excessive strain. With a height-adjustable ergonomic standing desk, you can ensure that you have optimal lumbar alignment and overall improved posture.
10. Contributes to overall health and a long life
While this is a big claim, it’s not incorrect. One of the major benefits sit-stand desk users enjoy is prolonging their life expectancy with the simple act of standing up! Without a doubt, physically active people live longer than those who have sedentary lifestyles. Having a standing desk will encourage you to work while standing rather than sitting, or at a minimum alternate from sitting to standing. This will often lead to a more active lifestyle.
Why stand up desks are a great investment
Whether you live in a small studio apartment or work in a spacious corner office, adding a Yaasa Adjustable Desk is a small change that will make a big difference. It’s a great investment for your current health and future wellbeing – what’s more valuable than that? Fostering healthier habits at work and at home might just improve your life in ways you could never imagine!!
Electric – can easily adjust the height with the touch of a button
Sturdy – can easily hold weight but not be too flimsy or unstable
Lightweight – easy mobility and adjustments in location
Stylish – ergonomic with a sleek look, no “office eyesores”
Affordable – choose a standing desk that fits your particular budget
The Yaasa Adjustable Desk checks all the above points with flying colors. It’s lightweight, yet durable and hard-wearing. This desk has a one-touch system to easily adjust for various sitting or standing heights with the press of a button. Need to hold a semester of textbooks or multiple computers – no problem; the Yaasa Adjustable Desk can safely hold up to 160 pounds of weight. Plus, like all of our products, it’s affordable! Whether for personal use or for an office with many employees, the Yaasa Adjustable Desk is an excellent investment in your health and quality of life.
A standing desk can benefit back pain as it positions the spine in improved / optimal neutral alignment. When you are hunched over in a chair, your neck and back have a tendency to see additional strain.
How long should you stand at a standing desk?
You should alternate throughout the day between sitting and standing. According to Professor Jack Callaghan at the University of Waterloo, the ideal sit-stand ratio is that a person should stand for 30 minutes for every hour of sitting.
Can a standing desk be bad for you?
Unlikely, if used properly. When standing at a desk, you posture improves. Standing for more than your body can handle is not encouraged. Refer to the above sit-stand ratio above – 30 minutes of standing per hour of sitting.
Is being on your feet all day exercise?
A: No, regular standing is not the same as regular exercise and should not be substituted workouts or exercise. However, alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day promotes a more active lifestyle.
