You may have heard the phrase, “sitting is the new smoking.” But why are those two activities linked together?
Research has shown that sitting for extended periods of time is harmful to your health. In fact, excessive sitting can cause early death, among a plethora of other health side effects.
But how do you avoid sitting all day if you work on a desk in an office setting? Consider using a standing desk.
There are several reasons why you should have a standing desk in your office. Keep reading to discover a great list of some of the standing desk benefits.
1. Reduces obesity, weight gain
It may seem obvious, but standing burns more calories than sitting.
While it’s not an excessive amount more, it is .15 more calories every single minute. And all those minutes add up — especially if you normally sit throughout the whole workday.
If you add up those .15 calories per minute, the average woman can actually lose 5 pounds a year with a standing desk. Add in a few walks to the restroom and an extra flight of stairs each day and you’re well on your way to a thinner lifestyle.
2. Lowers blood sugar levels
Another one of the standing desk health benefits is lowered blood sugar levels.
One scientific study followed office workers for 3 hours after lunch — some who stood and some who sat. Out of the workers who stood, they reduced their blood pressure spikes by 43% compared to those who sat.
This all makes sense when you consider that excessive sitting is one of the main contributors of type 2 diabetes.
3. Reduces back and neck pain
Have you ever finished a long day at the office and felt like you were hit by a bus? Sitting at a desk all day is a surprisingly painful thing to do — especially for your back and neck.
In fact, studies show that people who utilized standing desks saw a 32% improvement with their chronic back and neck pain.
Some people argue that a constantly using a standing desk puts increased pressure on your legs and feet, which may cause pain. So instead of opting for one pain over another, use a Standing Desk Converter and rotate between sitting and standing.
4. Increases energy levels
Finishing our list of health benefits of standing desks is the most important benefit — increased energy levels.
When you’re sitting down for extended periods of time, it’s easy to fall into the afternoon slump. Your energy levels start to dip and suddenly you can’t stop yawning. But, by standing and moving around frequently, you maintain your energy levels throughout the day.
Not only do increased energy levels help you feel better overall, but they also improve your work productivity.
Take advantage of these standing desk benefits
These are just four of the many standing desk benefits. To discover how a standing desk can benefit you individually, you’ll need to try it out on your own.
We suggest starting with a standing desk converter. That way, you can switch back and forth between sitting and standing until you get used to standing all day.
For more great tips on being the most productive worker you can be, explore the Guides section of this site.
