Many of us have jobs that require us to stay at our desks for long periods of time, and science has shown us that this poses a significant risk to our health. Luckily, there may be an easy solution to the problem. Standing desks have been used since the 18th century, but in the past few years, the standing desk has become more popular than ever. There are both pros and cons to using standing desks and everyone should consider carefully before committing to one.
Why the Standing Desk is Suddenly Getting Attention
The standing desk has been around since the 18th century and was thought to help people be their most productive. In fact, brilliant minds such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Winston Churchill, and Thomas Jefferson accomplished much of their work standing upright. With the invention of the traditional office cubicle, standing desks were quickly forgotten. So why have standing desks been selling like crazy in the last seven years? The answer has everything to do with the numerous health studies that came out around this time. These studies pointed to the link between prolonged sitting and serious health risks:
- A 2005 Danish study assessed 10,000 individuals over the course of 12 years and found that prolonged sitting led to an excess risk of hospital treatment for varicose veins.
- A 2008 study stressed the importance of avoiding prolonged uninterrupted sedentary time because it was associated with a greater metabolic risk (which is also associated with diabetes and heart disease).
- A 2015 study indicated that those who were excessively sedentary had an increased risk of getting a disease or illness that could kill them prematurely.
On the flip side, there have been some studies that suggest standing is no better than sitting. A 2015 study monitored the behavior of 1,412 women and 3,720 men over the span of 16 years and found that 450 participants had died. However, they found no correlation between the time they spent sitting and mortality. It could be that standing desks don’t have a huge impact long-term, but many are choosing to make the switch just in case.
Is a Standing Desk for You?
Despite the hype surrounding standing desks, they may not benefit everyone. Here are some advantages and disadvantages to standing desks so you can decide for yourself:
Advantages
- Standing could help give your brain a boost by helping blood circulate oxygen to the brain.
- You burn more calories standing than you do sitting.
- Standing can help improve your posture. This will also help those who suffer from back pain.
- You may experience a higher engagement with coworkers because standing desks appear more inviting.
Disadvantages
- If you work long hours, standing all day can be very difficult.
- Those who are used to sitting all day will have sore legs and feet.
- Eating lunch at your desk can be a pain.
- You may experience a higher engagement with coworkers, which can distract you from work.
A Workspace That is Best for You
There are many different kinds of standing desks if you decide to give one a try. Whether standing desks work for you or not, one thing is for certain: your workspace is important to your productivity. Desks are only one part of a healthy work environment. If you are looking for a change in your workspace, consider renting a virtual office from YourOffice Ballantyne so that you can work anywhere, any time. YourOffice Ballantyne offers virtual spaces and fully furnished meeting rooms that are equipped with the latest technology so you can work in optimal comfort. No matter what kind of workspace you choose, it is important to find the workspace that best suits your lifestyle and health needs.
