Standing desks has been dominating the corporate world for quite some time now due to the hype. And more and more people are trying out the practice either to give a verdict on whether or not it is ideally and health-wise better than a sitting desk or not.
"What exactly is a standing desk?" If you think there's more to it than how it ridiculously sounds, it's just literally what it is. A desk used for writing and working and wherein assembled varying your comfortability as you stand in good posture. Instead of sitting down, you get a standing desk while you work.
For those of you who works 8 hours per week, or more well-know as, a 9-to-5 work hour, you must know the health risks and physical inactivity of having to sit for hours for the rest of day.
Olivia Judson stated in The New York Times, "It doesn't matter if you go running every morning, or you're a regular at the gym. If you spend most of the rest of the day sitting - in your car, your office chair, on your sofa at home - you are putting yourself at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, a variety of cancers and an early death. In other words, irrespective of whether you exercise vigorously, sitting for long periods is bad for you."
Now that you realize how sitting for an excessive amount of hours for a long time is harmful to your health, you might want to consider requesting your supervisor if you can opt for a standing work desk. But before you do that, get enlightened with its advantages and disadvantages.
PROS:
Little to no back pain: One of the primary purposes of having a standing work area is to improve one's posture and to reduce back and tailbone problems. If you would recall, just a month or less of you sitting at work for more than 8 hours 5 or 6 days per week, you start to feel uneasy and aching of your back. And having that problem for the following months, years even, it's a daily struggle to suck up the pain and just continue your task. Standing desks will help improve your posture and decrease the pain level you've been suffering down your back. you'll only feel fewer instances of back pain when you start this practice.
Metabolism boost: If you don't know it yet, let this be a reminder that sitting kills and it could be the new "smoking". Basically, when you remain sitting in a long period of time, your metabolism rate gradually decreases and slows down. When you switch to standing, you can burn as much as 1,000 calories per week so it greatly contributes to your physical health state.
More energy and improved attention: How exactly does it help a person to be more alert, focused and energized? By standing, you keep your blood circulation flowing and since almost your whole body is at work and functioning, it's harder to feel sleepy. Stretch and walk around while you work, it can keep you from getting tired as well.
Better posture and strength: Since you have found a solution for your back pain, it is only necessary to keep your body posture well-maintained and refrain from being slouchy, observe standing straight at all times. Also, by standing straight and engaging your core, you're doing a great favor for your strength as well so it truly is a great way to feel more healthy and less tired and overworked during work hours.
CONS:
Sore legs and feet: Sure, everything has its drawbacks and the standing workstation isn't exempted from it. If your legs and feet already feel sore and your muscles begin aching from standing in 2 hours, expect your body to get tired and sore if ever you switch to this project. Expect the first couple of weeks to be painful, you'll get a little used to it as you go on and continue. Place a stool beside you or somewhere near you so you can take a break. Hey, it's still better than sitting all day!
Limits your footwear: Let's admit it, this dismays mostly the ladies out there who won't be able to stand wearing heels for hours. If you want, just bring a comfy slippers with you to use in the office while you work at your standing desk. Wear a comfortable shoes with in-cushion so you won't feel sore quickly. If you work in a company that isn't strict with dress codes, this shouldn't be that much big of a problem.
Longer work days: If you work longer hours at work, then you might rethink throwing your sitting desk and switching to this one. This only means extended time standing on your tender and aching feet. It is understood that standing is better than sitting but if you work longer hours than the usual, it could be rough for you. However, if you really insist on having a standing desk, you better have a sitting option.
Back pain: Although the standing workstation is primarily used to improve body posture, as previously mentioned, it has its drawbacks. If you're standing in bad posture, then you're defeating the purpose of it. By doing so, you'll just suffer more pain and might actually increase it.
Though there are minor stumbling blocks with regards to replacing your normal desk to a standing desk, it is without a doubt that standing workstations are steps better than the ordinary. Still, be aware of the health risks and do further research whether or not this will work best for you. Will you switch to a standing desk? Share your thoughts with us!
About Chie Suarez
Has a deep interest in office organization and home office design ideas, Chie Suarez also writes for Ideal Office Furniture, they specialise in a wide selection of office furniture designs servicing large corporate businesses to small home offices throughout Sydney.