The Top 5 Benefits of Using a Stand-Up Desk: Insights from Experts

Published By Elm Park Extra
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Take a Stand for your Health!

 

Introduction

It’s time to take a stand for your health! The modern workplace is constantly evolving, and one of the most significant changes in recent years has been the rise of stand-up desks. These innovative workstations are designed to promote better posture and reduce the health risks associated with prolonged sitting. But what exactly are the benefits of using a stand-up desk? We've consulted with various experts to bring you the top five benefits.

1. Improved Posture

Sitting for long periods can lead to poor posture and back pain. A stand-up desk can help improve your posture by encouraging you to stand up straight and engage your core muscles. This can help reduce the strain on your back and neck, leading to fewer aches and pains.

What the experts say:

  • According to the Mayo Clinic, stand-up desks can significantly improve posture. They encourage users to stand upright and maintain a neutral spine position, which can alleviate back and neck pain commonly associated with prolonged sitting. 
  • "Sitting can lead to a loss of the natural curve in the lumbar spine, which can lead to pain and discomfort,” says Dr. Kelly Starrett, author of Becoming a Supple Leopard. “Standing desks can help maintain this natural curve and improve posture." 
  • According to Katy Bowman, author of Move Your DNA, standing allows for a lot of the body’s natural movement to occur. “It’s not that standing is so great, it’s that not moving is so bad," says Bowman. 

2. Increased Calorie Burn

One of the biggest benefits of using a stand-up desk is that it can help you burn more calories. When you're standing, your body has to work harder to maintain balance and support your weight, which can help you burn up to 50 more calories per hour than sitting. This may not sound like a lot, but over time, it can add up and help you maintain a healthy weight.

What the experts say:

3. Enhanced Energy and Productivity

Standing up and moving around can help boost your energy levels and improve your focus and productivity. When you're sitting for long periods, you may start to feel tired or sluggish, which can lead to a decline in your work performance. By using a stand-up desk, you can avoid this and maintain a higher level of productivity throughout the day.

Many users of standing desks report feeling more alert and focused, which can lead to increased productivity.

What the experts say:

  • According to Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, “standing desks can increase productivity by 10-20%.” Ferriss says that most of this is due to the fact that our brains work better when they have a steady supply of oxygenated blood. 
  • David Allen, author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, maintains that the mind is for having ideas, not holding them! “Standing desks can help facilitate this by promoting better physical health and mental acuity," Allen says. 

4. Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases

Research has shown that sitting for long periods can increase your risk of heart disease. By using a stand-up desk, you can reduce the amount of time you spend sitting and lower your risk of developing heart disease. Standing up can also help improve your circulation and lower your blood pressure, which can further reduce your risk of heart disease.

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Sitting for long periods can also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. By using a stand-up desk, you can reduce the amount of time you spend sitting and improve your blood sugar control. A study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that using a standing desk for just three hours per day can lead to a 50% reduction in the risk of developing diabetes.

What the experts say:

  • According to the Mayo Clinic, prolonged periods of sitting seem to increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. “Using a stand-up desk can help mitigate these risks," the Mayo Clinic says. 
  • Dr. Mark Hyman, author of Food Fix, agrees. "Sedentary behavior, including sitting for extended periods, increases the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease," says Hyman.
  • According to Dr. David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth About Wheat, Carbs and Sugar – Your Brain’s Silent Killers, chronic diseases are largely preventable through a diet and lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and standing, a non-sedentary lifestyle. 

5. Greater Longevity

What the experts say:

  • Harvard Health Publishing suggests that long hours of sitting are linked with a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Reducing sedentary time by using a standing desk could potentially contribute to greater longevity.
  • In his book Healthy Aging - A Lifelong Guide to Your Wellbeing, Dr. Andrew Weil says that our bodies are designed to move. “Standing desks are one way to incorporate more movement into our lives, which can lead to greater longevity," Weil maintains.
  • According to Dr. Valter Longo, author of The Longevity Diet, standing, as opposed to sitting, can contribute to the longevity benefits seen in populations who live longer, healthier lives. 

Conclusion

Stand-up desks offer a range of benefits, from improved posture to increased longevity. As our experts have highlighted, making the switch from a traditional desk can have a profound impact on your health and productivity. So why not give it a try? Your body and mind might just thank you.