Is Standing at Work Really That Beneficial?

Standing desks and other options like it have exploded in popularity, particularly as a more health-conscious approach to work. However, as these options often cost a pretty penny to implement, it is worth asking the question: do the benefits of a standing desk outweigh the costs of implementing one?

SPOILER ALERT: The answer to this is yes… although standing all the time can have its issues as well.

Why is Sitting Seen as Such a Bad Thing?

Numerous studies have attributed increased sedentary time throughout the day to an increased risk of various health ailments and conditions. Many of these issues are cardiovascular in nature, including reduced blood flow to the legs and brain, decreased production of blood sugar and cholesterol controls, reduced blood vessel health, and an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Yikes. However, for the sake of fairness, other studies have shown that there are also risks associated with standing too much throughout the day—including vascular issues, as well, and chronic back issues.

That being said, the use of standing desks has been linked to a few positive health outcomes. Lower back pain has been observed to have decreased when standing is integrated in moderation, and standing just encourages people to move around more in general.

Like Most Things, Sitting and Standing are Best in Moderation

Modern sit/stand desk adapters offer the opportunity to shift between sitting and standing, getting the best of both worlds in one relatively easy-to-implement option. If you do decide to try out one of these adjustable desks, we recommend easing into standing until you are used to it, and using an anti-fatigue mat to reduce the strain on your feet.

Don’t Forget to Move When You Can, Too

Of course, a sit/stand desk or adapter will only do so much. Actively moving when the opportunity presents itself—during breaks, on lunch, or (if possible) during meetings—or even trying a few seated exercises when you have the chance can help promote your health.

So, in conclusion, it is important to combine sitting, standing, and moving around as much as you can throughout the workday. We can help supply you with the different technologies that can support these goals, mobile devices, cloud services, and other options as just a small sample of this list. Give us a call at (978) 482-2020 to learn more about how we can help optimize your IT to support the workplace you want to create.