An ergonomic desk is designed to shorten the amount of time you spend sitting down during your working day. In lieu of remaining seated for several hours, you can raise the level of the desk so you can work at standing height. So, these types of adjustable desks are often known as “sit stand” desks.
Firstly, sitting for long periods of time can be harmful to your health. Secondly, research into this issue has shown that sedentary behavior can increase the risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension(high blood pressure, musculoskeletal injuries such as back pain, shoulder pain and repetitive strain injuries(RSI).
However, using a sit-stand desk means you can switch easily (at the touch of a button!) between sitting and standing throughout the day and avoid remaining in the same position for too long—especially important if you don’t have very good posture. Above all, these desks also relieve musculoskeletal strain by providing proper support when you type on a keyboard or move between computer and paperwork.
Certainly, make the most effective use of a sit-stand desk, it’s important to consider the other factors that play into creating a fully ergonomic workstation, such as the height and tilt of computer monitors and stability of the flat working surface. In the same vein, you should also think about how the sudden change in physical activity might affect your body. On the other hand, going from sitting all day to standing all day means you could develop pain in your back, legs and/or feet. Likewise, the general advice is to make the transition gradually—subsequently start off with 30 to 60 minutes each day and increase it over time.
To begin with, poor workplace ergonomics can cost employees and businesses dearly. Consequently, employees who lack ergonomic office equipment can suffer a range of health complaints and workplace injuries, for example –
· pain, tingling or numbness in the hands, fingers, or wrists
· swollen or stiff joints
· discomfort in the shoulders, neck or back
· muscle cramps or tightness
· problems with vision
Similarly, injuries such as work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are very common that affects our muscles, joints, and tendons in all parts of the body. For instance, they can develop over time because of the following reasons- Firstly, working in a static position but there is little body movement and in doing repetitive movements for a long time. Also, Also, putting strain on one specific area of the body (such as the hand or wrist).
To conclude whether you’re working from your home office or working from a busy shared space, a standing desk is a great option to improve your health during the workday. To sum up, here are some of the benefits of standing at work.
Firstly, standing burns more calories than sitting, even if you simply stand still. So, the calorie difference between standing versus sitting
isn’t huge. However, standing burns about 100-200 calories per hour, while sitting burns 60-130 calories. But over time, it can add
up. Also, the other calorie-burning benefit of standing at work is the shift in your mindset. In short, when you’re standing up, you’re more likely to keep your mind in “wellness mode” and you’ll walk around a bit more often throughout the day.
Secondly, using a standing desk with proper ergonomics can help you have good posture at the computer. So, your monitor should be at eye level, about 20 inches from your face at a 20-degree tilt, while you should bend your arms at 100-degree angles at your sides. Wrists should hover comfortably above the keyboard, with weight shifting between legs.
Thirdly, like poor posture, you may think back pain is caused by sitting, but it’s not something that you have to live with or accept as
part of work. But, if you have a comfortable chair designed with back and lumbar support and alternate with periods of standing. Similarly, you will likely remedy your minor back pain.
Fourthly, you’re sitting with a laptop on your lap while typing, you’ve probably noticed your wrists start to fall and “rest” on your keyboard. However, this can lead to wrist strain and pain. In addition, sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome, a pinched nerve in the wrist may notice more discomfort when wrists are held in the wrong position
For instance, if we look back at human evolution, our bodies were made to move. So, when we stand, we improve our leg muscles, our balance, and our core strength. In addition, we also prevent blood clots from forming in the legs. Likewise, when people sit for a long time (such as on a plane), blood may slow and pool in their legs. Certainly, this can lead to a blood clot.
Finally, if your workday seems long and you find yourself distracted, standing up can give you a focus and mood boost to increase your
productivity. In addition, a study at Texas A&M University found people who stood up at work in a call center were 50% more productive. Similarly, standing helps us feel healthier, and when we feel well, we’re often in a better mood. However, participants in standing studies at work have reported improved mood as a peripheral benefit of standing at work. So, if you’re having a slow workday (or feeling down), get on your feet!
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