Stand Up to the Risks of Sitting with a Standing Desk

The business world has come a long way and it looks like every sector of every industry needs computers. Following this, most office workers are supposed to spend 8 hours sitting in front of their PCs which can seriously impact their health, leading to issues such as back pain, excess body fat, increased blood pressure, high cholesterol and increased risk of heart diseases.

For this reason, many people try to reduce the effects of sitting with the help of exercises for improving bad posture, as well as taking short walks, signing up to gyms or investing in exercise bikes that target both lower and upper body.

Although being active is important for your overall health, unfortunately, in the long run, it can’t really counteract the effects of sitting all day. Hence, one of the best solutions is to check out the standing desk Australia range and pick the right one for you. Here are some of the ways it can help.

girl working on a standing desk at home

Source: fitnest.eu

Prevents Musculoskeletal Disorders

Back pain is one of the most frequent complaints of office workers. In Australia, for instance, lower back pain is the most commonly seen musculoskeletal condition in general practice. Prolonged back pain, in turn, can often lead to a more serious medical problem if not taken seriously.
By switching to a standing desk Australia physical therapists say you can reduce the risks of various muscle, nerve, joint and spine disorders. Varying your positions from sitting to standing during the day will help improve your posture. This, in addition, can help relieve the stress on your spine caused by sitting. A standing desk in addition to an ergonomic chair  might be just what you need to finally get rid of the dreaded back pain.

Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease

A 1953 study showed that bus conductors who stood all day had half the risk of heart disease-related death in comparison with their colleagues who were seated. This research became known worldwide, and since then, scientists have developed a bigger understanding of the impact that sitting has on our heart health. More precisely, a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of heart diseases by up to 147% as compared to an active lifestyle.

Spending more time on your feet is undoubtedly beneficial for your heart health. Therefore, even if your job involves sitting, you can cut your risk by using a standing desk. A good tip is to stand an hour for each hour of sitting. And while standing, make sure to move a little to experience even more benefits like burning more calories. Speaking of which.

woman at standing desk drinking coffee

Source: medicalnewstoday.com

Prevents Weight Gain

We all know that weight gain is mainly caused by consuming more calories than you burn. That being said, many office workers are prone to weight gain as sitting doesn’t burn that many calories throughout the day. While exercising is one of the most effective ways to burn calories, when you have a busy schedule you might not have any time to work out as often as necessary.
That being said, using a standing desk may be the most convenient solution. This way you can reduce the risk of gaining weight by burning about 50 extra calories an hour. If you choose to stand for 3 hours each workday, this would equal to 750 calories per week. So, this caloric difference may be enough to prevent weight gain.

Increases Energy and Improves Mood

Even the best office chair may not be enough for the office workers to feel comfortable and energetic all day long, and it’s very probable that they become lethargic after a few hours of sitting. When this happens, it’s unnecessary to turn to energy drinks or coffee loaded with caffeine. But after a while of feeling energized, the sugar rush quickly depletes and the worker begins to feel tired again.

man working on a standing desk and smiling

Source: spacematrix.com

But standing is great for blood circulation which can help get more oxygen to the brain to keep it energised and alert. That being said, a stand up desk that gets you moving can be a great way to increase your energy levels. In addition, excessive sedentary time has also been linked to an increased risk of depression and anxiety. So these kinds of desks may also help improve mood.

Boosts Productivity

One of the main benefits of using a standing desk is that it may help you work better. When the body as a whole is in a good shape – it functions more efficiently and this, in turn, boosts productivity. There are many studies done about the effects standing desks have and one of them found that users were 45% more productive on a daily basis. Productivity additionally increased over months of use.
Whether you decide to go with a traditional or a more modern-looking standing desk Australia retailers offer something for every office style and every worker’s needs.

Author: Christina Stone

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