What Are the Health Benefits of Standing Desks?

If standing desks are on your mind, you’re not alone. According to the Society for Human Resources Management, 53 percent of companies that offer wellness benefits included them among their perks in 2018. These desks are winning fans on the job and in homes around the country, and users often report positive results after making the switch. Ready to stand up for your health? Learn more about the benefits of standing desks for physical and mental well-being to see if they’re the right choice for you.

Help Reducing the Risk of Serious Diseases

Sitting is bad for our health. The longer we remain inactive, the more we increase our risk of serious diseases. For example, scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have learned that sitting for long periods allows troponin to accumulate in our heart muscle cells. If these cells are damaged, they will release this protein, signaling a serious cardiac event. Research revealed that individuals who sat for more than 10 hours each day displayed higher-than-normal troponin levels, putting them at an elevated risk for heart disease and other cardiac conditions.

Extended sitting has also been linked to an increased risk of many types of cancer and may result in elevated blood sugar levels, leading to type 2 diabetes, according to a meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Epidemiolgy. And while it may be hard to imagine you spend more than 10 hours a day sitting, once you include time spent at work and on the couch, it’s easy to see how it all adds up. Adding a standing desk like the Tresanti Adjustable Height Desk (below in white) to your work area offers a great way to reduce sitting time, and even an hour or two a day of use can make a difference in your risk for these conditions.

Help Reducing Back Pain

Sufferers of lower back pain often find that sitting increases discomfort. This may be due to increased pressure on an injury when seated or because of poor posture. If you find yourself slumping at your desk and complaining of back pain, the way you sit in your office chair could be the culprit. And while there are many tips for improving seated posture, it can be hard to break bad habits.

Choosing a standing desk, however, offers a solution that only requires you to stand up. In 2018, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh worked with patients to reduce sedentary behavior through counseling and the use of a provided standing desk. The results showed that 50 percent of participants found relief for their pain after using the standing desk as instructed. To help ensure you find a desk fits you ergonomically, you should follow best practices and consult with a doctor first.

Standing Desks Can Support Weight Loss

A growing number of Americans struggle to maintain a healthy weight. In fact, as reported in Medical News Today, obesity can contribute to a number of the same diseases and health risks as too much sitting, from diabetes and heart disease to cancer, high blood pressure and more. Eating right and getting enough exercise, usually 20-30 minutes each day, are great ways to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. But can a standing desk help here as well?

Evidence for weight loss benefits of standing desks is mixed, but there are indications that standing for part of the day can have a positive impact on weight management. Recent research saw that individuals who used standing desks for the majority of the day burned 54 calories more than those who sat during that time. That might not sound like a lot, but it adds up to 270 calories per five-day workweek, and over 1,000 calories per month. So, while a standing desk alone may not be enough to take off extra pounds, it can make a difference when paired with better diet and exercise.

Quick Tips for Choosing and Using Standing Desks

Ready to see how a standing desk can improve your health? If so, there are a few simple tips to keep in mind. To get the most from your desk, consider the following:

• Choose a desk that suits your needs and your workspace. We all tend to be happier and more productive when we love our work area. Your standing desk should be no exception. Look for a desk that combines the functional features you need with a design you love, like the striking adjustable standing desk shown below. Motorized operation makes adjustments effortless, while the sleek glass and wood finishes complement any office.

• Make it easy. When you’re busy, you may get so caught up that you forget to stand. To make sure you get the full benefit of your standing desk, choose one that reminds you to stand up. The standing desk shown below (in black) features a GetActive™ timer that alerts you when it’s time to stand or take a seat.

• Start slowly. It’s recommended that you gradually increase standing when you begin using a standing desk. This helps minimize fatigue and encourages you to stick with it. Start by standing for fifteen or twenty minutes at a time, then stand longer as you feel comfortable.

• Make it comfortable. Since most of us aren’t used to being on our feet all day, a few comfort-focused upgrades will encourage you to use your standing desk more often. Choose a good pair of shoes for work, whether that means supportive sneakers or flat dress shoes. You can also add an anti-fatigue mat to minimize stress on your feet and legs.

Explore Standing Desks Today

If you’re ready to say goodbye to sedentary lifestyles, a standing desk is a great way to help. To learn more about standing desks, browse our full assortment of desks online or read through our blog, Ideas and Inspiration, to read more about how the simple act of standing more at your desk can have big possibilities for your health. As the leader in high-quality electronic adjustable height desks, we offer the options you need to outfit your home office or professional workplace with desks that can help you stay healthy and get more done.