5 Health Benefits of Using a Standing Desk

Standing desks are becoming increasingly popular in the modern workplace. In fact, they’ve become the fastest-growing employee benefit, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.

The surge in popularity of height adjustable desks comes from two factors: people are learning more about the health benefits of using a standing desk, and height-adjustable designs are becoming more versatile and affordable than ever.

As standing desks become more popular and the body of research around them grows, we know more about the benefits. In this blog, we’ll outline a few of the positive effects associated with height adjustable desks and explain how to take advantage of them in your own office.

How Using a Standing Desk Can Improve Your Health and Productivity

While researchers have only recently started to study how extended sitting affects our health, the results so far are alarming. At the same time, studies have offered insights into the ways standing while working can help maintain health and boost productivity. Here are a few ways using a standing desk can create improvements, both in the workplace and for your overall health.

Burn (Slightly) More Calories

Your body burns more calories when standing up compared to sitting down, but only by a small amount. According to research published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, test subjects burned eight more calories per hour while standing compared to while sitting.

While you shouldn’t regard a standing desk as a weight loss solution, it’s still better from a calorie burning standpoint than sitting. If you stand for about two and a half hours a day, you’ll burn roughly 100 more calories per week than if you remained sitting. Standing also engages your muscles and allows you to move around while working, which could further increase the number of calories you burn while standing.

Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

The evidence that exercise and physical activity can reduce your risk for heart disease has been around since the 1950s. More recently, studies have suggested that extended periods of inactivity increase your risk of heart disease by nearly 150%.

When you’re already standing, you’ve removed one obstacle toward moving around and staying active while at work. So, while standing may not count as exercise in itself, it puts you one step closer and makes you more likely to take walks, stretch, and otherwise include movement in your daily routine.

Relieve Back Pain

Sitting for hours on end can put a lot of stress and pressure on your neck and back. Choosing ergonomic seating and using good posture is one way to relieve the pressure and pain, but standing can achieve the same effect. According to one study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, participants who used a standing desk reduced their upper back and neck pain by 54% after just one month of use.

Lower Blood Sugar Levels

After you eat a meal, the food you’ve consumed causes your blood sugar to spike. A small increase is normal, but the more sharply your blood sugar levels increase, the worse it is for your health. Significant blood sugar spikes can cause long term damage to organs, nerves, and blood vessels, and they can be particularly dangerous for people with type 2 diabetes.

Standing after eating or alternating standing and sitting can help reduce blood sugar spikes, keeping you focused and healthy. Watch out for headaches, fatigue, and blurred vision; these are all potential signs your blood sugar is spiking.

Boost Productivity

Several studies have shown that workers who use height adjustable desks experience improved productivity and morale. According to one 2016 study, employees who used standing desks at a call center were 45% more productive than their seated coworkers. After six months of using the standing desks, workers’ productivity was 53% higher than their counterparts.

Ease Into Your Standing Desk for the Best Results

If you don’t already stand for extended periods and aren’t used to standing while you work, it’s not advisable to get a standing desk and then jump right into standing for hours on end. Start by standing in small increments, then stand for longer and longer periods over time. By easing in and building up your stamina, you can avoid potential complications like fatigue, pain, and muscle cramps. Using a padded mat can also help prevent foot pain.

Overall, the benefits of using a standing or height-adjustable desk outweigh initial discomforts. When you ease yourself into using your new desk, you’ll quickly begin to take advantage of the outstanding health benefits.

RELATED: Use Ergonomics to Get More Comfortable at Work

ZGO Solutions: Crafting Globally Inspired Standing Desks for People Like You

At ZGO Solutions, our designs prioritize balance and health. Our height-adjustable desks balance beauty and function and equip you with the tools you need to stay healthy, happy, and productive at work.

One of our most popular standing desk collections, Axis, offers stability, classic styles, and ergonomic support. To learn more about Axis or any of our collections of height-adjustable desks, contact us today!

References

Bagley, C. (2018, June 27). Can a standing desk help my back pain? UTSouthwestern Medical Center. Retrieved from https://utswmed.org/medblog/standing-desk-back-pain/#:~:text=Although%20a%20standing%20desk%20might,scoliosis%20or%20a%20bulging%20disc.

Green, N., & Dallery, J. (2019) Evaluating the Effectiveness of Education, Feedback, & Task Clarification to Increase Workplace Physical Activity. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 39:3-4, pages 237-246.

O’Keefe Osborn, C. (2019, August 12). How to Recognize and Manage a Blood Sugar Spike. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/blood-sugar-spike#causes

Shmerling, R., MD. (2016, September 23). The truth behind standing desks. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-truth-behind-standing-desks-2016092310264

Society for Human Resource Management. (2017). 2017 Employee Benefits: Remaining Competitive in a Challenging Talent Marketplace. Alexandria, VA: Author. Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/trends-and-forecasting/research-and-surveys/Documents/2017%20Employee%20Benefits%20Report.pdf