The average worker spends over 8 hours a day sitting. That’s around 50 hours a week, 200 hours a month and 2600 hours a year. Not every role is the same, but the typical desk job can certainly make it challenging to find the time and ability to get up and move throughout the day. Even if you don’t spend your whole work day sitting, chances are your liesure time involves sitting too, so it’s important to incorporate better habits while during those long work hours. Even just sitting 6+ hours a day (which isn’t hard for many of us to do) increases your risk of disease and even a shorter life expectancy by 40%, EVEN if you exercise. Here are the facts:
- Sitting time has been linked to high blood pressure, obesity, bad cholesterol and excess belly fat
- Sitting for a long period of time causes muscles to burn less fat and blood to flow more sluggishly, increasing risk of heart disease
- Prolonged sitting can trigger an increase in appetite and cause us to eat more
- Exercise and sitting are two separate components of health; long hours sitting are not compensated by a daily workout routine
- While sitting, enzymes that break down fat drop 90%
- People who sit for multiple hours a day at theirjob have 2x the rate of cardiovascular disease than those with standing jobs
- Too much sedentary time decreases bone mineral density without increasing bone formation, which raises risk of fracture
This sounds like scary stuff, but like I said, it’s not always easy to find the time or methods to lessen the time in your chair while you’re busy at work. The good news is that new trends in office furniture have been making it easier to get in the right habits to keep you healthy without disrupting your daily work routine. With different options out there, you can find the solution to sitting dangers that have been plaguing the workplace. Here’s a couple examples:
Standing Height Desk
[ezcol_1half]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
The standing height desk is a great addition to any office environment that has a typical desk set up already in place. Because in reality, if sitting all day isn’t good for you, then standing all day certainly isn’t either. Standing for long periods of time still does not provide the necessary triggers that help blood flow and activity like when you’re moving. It also can cause pressure on your lower back and lead you to feel more tired throughout the day without the added benefits. For this reason, the standing desk is a great option to compliment your current desk and allow for a very different style and feel when you need it. The standing height desk should match the height needs of the user in order to provide a comfortable, natural stance to work. With this desk, it is easy to get out of your chair and change up your posture and allow the legs to stretch without disturbing your work flow. These desks are great for common work areas to get employees away from their desks or can be worked into your private office set up for an easy transition. It is also a great option if you don’t spend long periods of time at your desk and can use it in smaller time chunks. There are a variety of standing height desks with different finishes, styles and sizes, so you can find the one that fits perfect with your existing work area.
Adjustable Height Desk
[ezcol_1half]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
The biggest benefit of the adjustable height desk is its ability to provide a range of working styles to the user, no matter who is using it. These desks have various mechanisms that allow the user to adjust the height of the surface to match their sitting or standing height, so they have the option to work in a number of ways throughout the day. It’s the only desk you need in your office, due to it’s versatility. Whether you’re in a task chair, stool, or simply standing, the desk can be repositioned to meet your needs throughout the day, allowing you to alternate from sitting to standing at any time. The main source of harm caused by sitting all day is the lack of motion that your body needs to get blood circulating and trigger the necessary functions to burn fat, decrease blood sugars, etc. Adjustable height desks give the user the ability to incorporate these motions into your work routine as you change from sitting to standing, breaking your static posture numerous times throughout the day.
The Treadmill Desk
[ezcol_1half]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
The Treadmill desk speaks for itself. It is a fully functioning workout machine that allows you to continue working as you use it. Lifespan’s treadmill desks have an electric, height-adjustable worksurface to accomodate a variety of users with whisper-soft treadmills and standard step counting and safety features. Speeds go up to 4 mph, so you can work and walk at a pace that is right for you without disrupting your focus or coworkers either. Incorporate this desk into your private office or provide an area for employees to use it as they wish for a great opportunity to get away from their desks and move without having to put their work on hold. What’s better than a complete workout while you work?! Whether you packed sneakers or not, you can get your physical activity in for the day without leaving their office! Research shows that quantity and quality of work increased by 0.69 for treadmill desk users compared to sitting. It may take some getting used to, but the benefits of those who are able to get up and get walking throughout the workday are definitely worth it.
So how do you choose the right standing height desk?
Measurements are important; not just to fit the desk within your space, but to know roughly where you need the keyborad to be positioned in relation to your own height in order to be able to work comfortably. There are a lot of different heights and styles of standing desk, so this can help you get a bettter idea of what you need and what will fit your work style. For more information on the selection process and other things you should consider while making a decision, check out this article by Lifehacker.
Sources:
- webmd.com
- medicalbillingandcoding.org
- “How Sitting Too Much Is Making Us Sick and Fat — And What to Do About It” by Chris Kresser
- “New Study: Treadmill Desks Boost Productivity” by Susan Adams, Forbes