Benefits Of Using a Standing Desk aka Stand Up Desk

Article By: Phillip Donaldson

For millions of Americans working desk jobs, hours of sitting poses a serious health risk.  Accepted medical research points to a number of diseases and illnesses which can occur as the result of a sedentary lifestyle, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and even depression.  Worldwide, a lack of physical activity is one of the biggest preventable causes of death.  The World Health Organization estimates that it directly leads to 1.9 million deaths globally every year. Even more worryingly, recent studies have suggested that even desk workers who regularly exercise have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.  Workers who sit the majority of their work day show a higher likelihood of developing illness and take more sick days than those who do not.  Additionally, studies have found that workers who sit most of the day suffer from decreased productivity. Fortunately, there is a solution.

Famous People Using Standing Desks

For generations, literary lights, statesmen, and thinkers have turned to the standing desk as an alternative to traditional sitting desks.  Thomas Jefferson, Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, and Virginia Woolf were all known to use these desks, which burn more calories, increase blood flow, reduce strain on the back, and increase productivity.

Unfortunately, standing desks have a number of health concerns of their own, including blood pooling and increased stress on the legs.  For many years, the choice seemed to be either experiencing the health problems associated with sitting desks, or those associated with standing desks. Adjustable-height desks – which allow users to variably sit or stand at their desk – offer all of the benefits of both options with few of the drawbacks.  According to a 1994 study, UPS employees greatly benefited from a sit-stand office environment, reporting 62% fewer complaints of discomfort and responding extremely positively to the change.  A 2002 study of bank tellers confirmed these results, finding that alternating between sitting and standing reduced the incidences of musculoskeletal discomfort.

However, the benefits to working at an adjustable-height desk go beyond health.   Studies have shown that employees who work at least part of the day in the standing position describe themselves as being more productive and focused.  Novelist Philip Roth works at a stand-up desk for just that reason.  With an adjustable height desk, users can take advantage of the comfort of sitting with the dynamism of standing.

Sources:
World Health Organization
WebMD: Sitting Too Long Bad For Health
NY Times: Stand Up While You Read This!

BeyondTheOfficeDoor.com is an office-supply company which offers the very best in ergonomic furniture.  We offer a range of standing desks to meet any need.  Our high-quality line of products includes electric adjustable, manual crank, and pneumatic gas lift.  At Beyond the Office Door, we are committed to helping you increase productivity and health. 

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