Health Benefits of a Standing Desk
With so many people working from home, standing desks have become all the rage. And for good reason - there are absolutely benefits to lowering the amount of time per day spent sitting.
Benefits₁:
Improves circulation in the lower-half of your body
Reduces shoulder and back pain, which often stems from sitting for long periods of time with poor posture
Sitting for long lengths of time has been shown to increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
Movement is almost always a benefit to your health - standing and moving around more are no exception
Tips for Transitioning to a Standing Desk
It’ll take time for your body to get used to standing for longer periods of time - start slow and gradually add more “standing” time in to your workday
Don’t underestimate the importance of good, supportive footwear
If you do want to stand for the majority of your day, consider getting a soft standing mat for comfort
What if a Standing Desk Isn’t an Option?
The real benefit of a standing desk is that it creates a simple, easy way to incorporate more movement into your daily life. If a standing desk isn’t an option for you, you can still take steps to improve your health and posture while you work.
Posture Strengthening and Improvement Resources
Improving your posture is one of the simplest ways to support your long-term back and neck functioning. Tory of Bodyvera Fitness released an excellent posture-focused pilates series, which you can find here. These videos offer a fun way to improve your posture with an at-home exercise series.
If your posture issues feel more severe, or if you simply prefer some one-on-one therapeutic guidance, physical therapy is an excellent choice. Our physical therapists can help you improve your posture with targeted therapies customized to your unique needs. You can learn more about physical therapy at SageMED here.
Optimizing Workspace Ergonomics₂
Ergonomic office equipment and set ups are specifically designed to support your long-term comfort while you work. Here are a few steps you can take to support better posture in your workspace:
Place your monitor an arms-length away from you, with the top of the monitor at eye level (depending on your desk height, you may benefit from a monitor stand to raise your monitor’s height)
Ideally, you want your feet resting flat on the floor - if the chair is too tall to allow that, adding a foot rest can help
Adjust your chairs armchairs to ensure that your arms and wrists are in an even position as you type
Lastly, make it a point to get up once an hour and walk around for a few minutes. Easier said than done, but it’s worth the time and intention it takes. A quick stroll is a simple way to boost your circulation and take better care of your body.
References
Shmerling, R. H. (2016, September 23). The truth behind standing desks. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-truth-behind-standing-desks-2016092310264.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, April 23). Office ergonomics: Your how-to guide. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169.