Standing desks have been around for some time now. We’re understanding more and more about how a sedentary lifestyle can affect your health in negative ways — those who don’t get enough activity are much more likely to experience heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and even a shorter life expectancy. Using a standing desk is an excellent way to offset those risks while you’re working.
Let’s take a look at some of the significant health benefits of using a standing desk:
You’ll Have Less Back and Neck Pain
Do you often find that your back and neck are sore after a long day at the office? Standing at your desk for part of the day may serve to help you feel more comfortable and have less muscle tension. A study in 2011 found that participants who spent a little over an hour of the day standing experienced a 54% reduction in pain in the upper back and neck. That’s what great about standing desks — even using them for a short time in the day can have enormous impacts.
You’ll Burn Calories and Avoid Weight Gain
Standing helps your body burn a few more calories at a time than you would if you were sitting. It’s not as effective as actual physical activity, but every little bit helps. Standing desks, then, help you to burn excess calories and avoid gaining weight. The BBC concluded that if a person were to stand for three hours during each workday of a five-day workweek, it would equal out to about 750 calories burned per week. In a year, that’s 30,000 calories burnt — that’s the equivalent of running ten marathons!
Your Mood Will Improve
The more active you are, the better you feel. There are well-known links between sedentary lifestyles and mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Sitting in a chair all day staring at a computer screen is just not conducive to good mental health — moving around, going for walks, and using a standing desk are great ways to break it up and get some physical activity during the workday. Your mood will improve before you know it.
Your Productivity Will Increase
A combination of the above elements factor into another significant benefit of the standing desk: it can help boost your productivity. With less neck and back pain, plus increased mental alertness and heightened mood, you’ll be more productive every day.
Consider talking to your boss about a standing desk!
Try explaining the benefits so that the value is clear. It’s well worth the investment. Contact High Profile online or call us at 972-991-7900 to find out how our staffing service can help you in your career. We’re here for you!