In today's computerized society, people in the workforce are continuously finding that their everyday lives are more and more sedentary. Most office jobs require staff to be seated for extended periods of time. Besides the time spent in the office, we have to consider the time spent sitting while we are in a car, or simply lounging around at home. All this combined together creates an unhealthy environment, and the need for a solution is greater than ever. One such office addition is a sit stand computer desk. A piece of furniture made to improve your staff's health and productivity.
Side Effects of Prolonged Sitting
One of the main issues that prolonged sitting causes is reduced circulation in one's body. While sitting, blood flows slower, and fluid tends to pool in the legs. Plus, in a sitting position, the user's arteries are more easily clogged by fatty acids. All this in time will lead to health problems such as varicose veins, swollen ankles, blood clots, strokes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and in some cases even heart attacks. Weight gain is another side effect that comes with long sitting sessions. Sitting slows down the enzyme called lipoprotein lipase, which is a fat-burning agent.
Extended sitting hours also lead to issues with posture and comfort. While sitting the user's spine morphs into a “C” position which compresses the spinal disc in an uneven way. This distributes the body weight disproportionately to the tailbone, thus causing collagen to harden around tendons and ligaments. Contrary to this, a healthy spine is supposed to be in an “S” position, allowing discs to soak up blood and nutrients. People who spend most of their days sitting in time will further notice pain in their backs, legs, neck and shoulders. These all come as a consequence of improper body position. And even though a number of people have tried to navigate the side effects by doing regular exercise, it doesn't get the job quite done. Sure, exercise is good for your health, but in this particular case, the solution is not to exercise more, but to sit less.
Sit-Stand Desks as a Viable Solution
Since more and more people are starting to see all the negative sides of continuous sitting at the office, workplaces are starting to make an effort to incorporate an ergonomic sit stand desk for every worker. This is the best and most effective way to improve employees' health and productivity level while in the office. Their secret? They allow the user to switch from sitting to standing as often as they want to, while still being able to complete the task at hand. Stay with me for some of the benefits of these desks, and how to properly use them.
In order to help with the cardiovascular issues mentioned above, a sit stand computer desk promotes better circulation in the body. Moreover, a standing position allows easier and faster blood flow, which means proper delivery of oxygen to the muscles. Besides a healthy heart, this also improves focus, concentration and energy. There is also a psychological benefit from the use of sit and stand computer desk. Namely, a couple of standing sessions during the workday can have a positive effect on one's mood – it is shown in the form of increased vigour, energy and happiness.
Find the balance. Just as sitting all day can be harmful, the same applies for long standing periods as well. Standing for hours can lead to back and leg pain. A balance means switching positions every 30 to 60 minutes. The ideal combination would be every hour or two of sitting time to be matched by an hour of standing. If your staff is new to this, then it is recommended to start out by standing for shorter amounts of time and ease their way into standing for longer periods. As already stated, standing is far more beneficial than sitting, but in order to eliminate all risks from sitting, you need to additionally keep moving while in a standing position. Office workers should use water and bathroom breaks to move, move and move some more, and in time see it as a usual routine, not as a task.
One of the main issues that prolonged sitting causes is reduced circulation in one's body. While sitting, blood flows slower, and fluid tends to pool in the legs. Plus, in a sitting position, the user's arteries are more easily clogged by fatty acids. All this in time will lead to health problems such as varicose veins, swollen ankles, blood clots, strokes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and in some cases even heart attacks. Weight gain is another side effect that comes with long sitting sessions. Sitting slows down the enzyme called lipoprotein lipase, which is a fat-burning agent.
Extended sitting hours also lead to issues with posture and comfort. While sitting the user's spine morphs into a “C” position which compresses the spinal disc in an uneven way. This distributes the body weight disproportionately to the tailbone, thus causing collagen to harden around tendons and ligaments. Contrary to this, a healthy spine is supposed to be in an “S” position, allowing discs to soak up blood and nutrients. People who spend most of their days sitting in time will further notice pain in their backs, legs, neck and shoulders. These all come as a consequence of improper body position. And even though a number of people have tried to navigate the side effects by doing regular exercise, it doesn't get the job quite done. Sure, exercise is good for your health, but in this particular case, the solution is not to exercise more, but to sit less.
Sit-Stand Desks as a Viable Solution
Since more and more people are starting to see all the negative sides of continuous sitting at the office, workplaces are starting to make an effort to incorporate an ergonomic sit stand desk for every worker. This is the best and most effective way to improve employees' health and productivity level while in the office. Their secret? They allow the user to switch from sitting to standing as often as they want to, while still being able to complete the task at hand. Stay with me for some of the benefits of these desks, and how to properly use them.
In order to help with the cardiovascular issues mentioned above, a sit stand computer desk promotes better circulation in the body. Moreover, a standing position allows easier and faster blood flow, which means proper delivery of oxygen to the muscles. Besides a healthy heart, this also improves focus, concentration and energy. There is also a psychological benefit from the use of sit and stand computer desk. Namely, a couple of standing sessions during the workday can have a positive effect on one's mood – it is shown in the form of increased vigour, energy and happiness.
Find the balance. Just as sitting all day can be harmful, the same applies for long standing periods as well. Standing for hours can lead to back and leg pain. A balance means switching positions every 30 to 60 minutes. The ideal combination would be every hour or two of sitting time to be matched by an hour of standing. If your staff is new to this, then it is recommended to start out by standing for shorter amounts of time and ease their way into standing for longer periods. As already stated, standing is far more beneficial than sitting, but in order to eliminate all risks from sitting, you need to additionally keep moving while in a standing position. Office workers should use water and bathroom breaks to move, move and move some more, and in time see it as a usual routine, not as a task.
