Why should I get a standing desk?
Standing desks are not a new fad - Winston Churchill and other historical figures used them. However, in recent times their use has proliferated, especially among the cutting-edge start-ups and forward-thinking companies. Facebook and Google, for instance, use them in their office spaces and claim they boost energy and productivity. There are various benefits to using a standing desk for all or part of your work day. These include physical and mental health improvements, in addition to productivity and happiness among staff.
It is well known that a sedentary lifestyle, unavoidable in office environments, has negative effects on our health and well-being. Unfortunately, most office workers spend 65% to 75% of their workday sitting.
Physical health, especially back pain, has been shown to be significantly reduced when standing desks are used. This study by the Center for Disease Control showed that lower back pain fell by more than 67% during the time the subjects had a standing desk.
It was first proposed in 1953 that standing is better for heart health. One study discovered that bus conductors that were on their feet throughout their shift had half the risk of heart disease-related deaths, compared with their colleagues in the driver’s seats. It's no wonder why key experts are saying that
"Sitting is the new smoking" - Sir Muir Gray, Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford
Later research of the effects of sitting on heart health found that prolonged sedentary time increases the risk of heart disease by up to 147%.
Our overall mood can also be improved by standing more often. The same study showed definite improvements in self-esteem and reductions in fatigue, tension and depression. In fact, once the study group had the standing desks removed, their moods returned to baseline levels.
Other studies also showed that participants using standing desks reported less stress and fatigue than those who remained seated the entire work day. Further still, 87% of those using standing desks reported increased energy throughout the day. Once again, upon returning to their old desks, overall moods reverted to their original levels.
Yet another study estimated that reducing sitting time to 3 hours per day would raise life expectancy by 2 years.
Companies like FF Venture Capital discovered that using standing desks increased active participation and the sharing of ideas. It is easier to walk over to a fellow worker or move to write ideas on a whiteboard if you are already standing.
These are just a few of the myriad benefits to using an adjustable standing desk, which will enhance the health and well-being of those who use them.