#HealthBytes: Benefits of working on a standing desk
Sitting for long hours while working is something most of us can't avoid, even with the current work from home environment. To prevent this prolonged physical inactivity, standing desks are often used during work hours. While all the standing desks have a basic function - to let you work while you stand - they also bring you a bag full of other benefits.
Using standing desks relieves back pain caused by bad posture
Sitting for many hours at a stretch leads to people shifting around the seat to find a comfortable position. This often causes bad posture. Additionally, these bad postures for long hours tighten the muscles and can hurt the lower back. Standing desks may relieve this pain. Some studies have found that using these desks for weeks can reduce overall back pain.
Standing desks can help you improve your physical activity
The whole point of standing desks is to decrease your inactivity. Though standing is technically not an activity, it allows you the freedom of movement. Harness this ability in becoming more active. Add balance boards, treadmills, exercise bikes, etc. to become physically fit while working. Research suggests that this increased activity can also help you become more productive at work.
Standing while working might actually burn some extra calories
One of the consequences of sitting for longer periods is weight gain. Along with exercise, just choosing to stand at work can take a few calories out of your body. In fact, researchers have observed that in a sedentary work environment, standing can burn 170 additional calories compared to those who sit. So, a small lifestyle change means 1,000 extra calories burned each week.
These desks can prove to be energy and mood booster
An efficient blood flow in our body sends oxygen to our organs for proper functioning. Standing can help in this, and improves our stamina in the process. Also, studies have linked depression and anxiety with a sedentary lifestyle. This has led to the "Take-a-Stand Project" in 2011, where 24 office workers reported improved mood after four weeks of using standing desks.
