The Health Benefits Of A Sit-Stand Desk

What Is a Sit-Stand Desk?

An employee can raise or lower the sit-stand desk, otherwise known as a height-adjustable desk, based on his or her needs. One can adjust the desk to comfortably stand while working or to sit in an office chair. Even with these capabilities, sit-stand desks blend seamlessly into office design, as they look no different than ordinary furniture at first glance.

Why Is a Sit-Stand Desk Important?

Employees who stay in the office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. have limited opportunities to perform non-work-related activities, like going for a walk. They do, after all, have to work. However, sitting for hours on end yields serious consequences for a person’s health.

Multi-tasking is the answer to this issue. A sit-stand desk gives employees the chance to stand while still working. This way, they get that much-needed stretch time without falling behind on productivity.

How Do They Help One’s Health?

Between driving, watching TV and working in an office, it seems people can’t escape the seated position. Without change, the population will face the negative health consequences of this sedentary lifestyle. According to research from the Annals of Internal Medicine, sitting all day increases one’s chance of developing deadly diseases. This includes conditions like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Type 2 diabetes. This trend proves true even if someone exercises, though participating in physical activity lowers the risk for sedentary-related health problems.

Even more concerning is the short amount of time it takes for the unfortunate effects of sitting to set in. Data from the Mayo Clinic noted that remaining sedentary for only two hours a day leads to a 50 percent greater risk for mortality. This duration is also linked to a 125 percent increased risk for cardiovascular events like heart attacks and chest pain.

The only way to totally eliminate the chances of developing deadly diseases from sitting is to avoid this position for long periods of time. Of course, this adjustment is challenging for those who work office jobs, but it’s possible with the use of sit-stand desks. Beyond avoiding the negative health consequences of sitting, standing at one’s desk can lead to more energy and reduced back pain. Specifically, participants in a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine who alternated sitting and standing every 30 minutes experienced these benefits while still remaining productive on the job.

Research from the JOEN shows that the more health risks employees face, the less productive they are in the workplace. Employers simply can’t afford to not invest in worker well-being. Because of this, integrating sit-stand desks in the office is an effective business decision.

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