If you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, you probably won’t have noticed the massive trend in ergonomic furniture. Standing desks are all the rage at the moment, and for great reasons!
We’ve all had moments during our workdays when we’ve suddenly (and horrifically) realised that we’re channelling Quasimodo. We have no idea how long we’ve been hunched over our computers – and we’ve all subsequently experienced the feeling of shame that goes with it.
Now, this article isn’t about chair-shaming anyone – it’s simply to serve as an eye-opener into the beautiful world of standing desks. If you don’t already know, here are five fantastic benefits of using one:
1. Improved Posture
The correct posture for standing at this type of desk is to stand with your head back and your hips upright to create an “S” shaped curve in your spine. Your monitor should be at eye level, approximately 20 inches away from your face.
That position is what will help to improve your posture. It might take a little while to get used to standing and working, but once you do that new position will become second nature. Standing doesn’t compress your spine as much as sitting does – so your posture will automatically improve after a few weeks of use.
2. Wellness Mode Psychology
Standing at your desk can activate a wellness mode inside of your mind. That will instantly give you a feel-good energy boost because you know that you are doing something good for yourself. It works the same way when you’re doing something good for the environment, like recycling. It’s a bit like that jolt of energy you get when you know you’re about to hit the gym and have the best session of your life.
Standing helps us feel healthier, and when we feel healthy, we do better. If you need any more encouragement, then a simple Google search on what sitting for more than eight hours a day can do to your life should sort you out.
3. Feel Energized
Standing at your desk, whether at the office or in your home office, will help you feel more energetic. Standing enhances your circulation and assists in helping oxygen pump through your blood, and the more you breathe, the more energetic you are – it’s science.
A study at a Texas university found that over 50% of the participants felt more energised and productive when using a standing desk instead of sitting at a traditional desk. Sometimes it’s just good practice to challenge outdated traditions and replace them with new ones that are better for our health and wellbeing.
If you’re looking to get the best value for money when choosing your standing desk, check out this stand up desk shoot-out.
4. Mood Booster
We have all experienced those long workdays, you know – the ones that seem to never end? Well, one of the best parts of standing while you work is that it helps you to stay focused and boosts your mood. Standing not only burns more calories than sitting does, but it can also help to lower your blood sugar levels after meals, so you won’t experience that mid-afternoon slump.
When we feel more energetic, we are more likely to fight less with co-workers and get more work done during the day.
5. You Live Longer
Sitting for more than six hours in a day can take as much as five years off your life. That’s a shocking figure when you think of how much time we waste sitting. That is caused by the overwhelming correlation between sedentary time and diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
People who sit all day have a fifty per cent higher chance of dying early than those who choose to keep moving during the day. If that isn’t a reason to order your standing desk today, then who knows what is? The answer is simple – standing more often will most likely help you live longer.
To End
I know standing at your desk might sound absolutely nuts, but try – you won’t be sorry. Make sure to choose one that fits your height requirements comfortably, the trick to standing desks working properly is to ensure that they help you to achieve the perfect posture.
There are many different designs and colours on the market to suit every home or corporate office space. Feel free to read reviews and ask around for other people’s opinions – they will most likely sing the same praises. Standing desks aren’t just a lame health fad – they are revolutionary and here to stay.
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on salman@cleantechloops.com
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