Sitting around is something we’re all getting plenty of in the 21st century, with our computers being the main culprit.

Desk bound jobs with a computer make up a huge part of our sedentary time. Unbeknownst to many of us, this constant sitting increases diabetes and heart disease and promises to send us to an early grave. Add to that the burning of fewer calories and we’re seeing more desk bound office workers battling with weight gain and obesity.

The Benefits of Standing for Your Health

Putting more Standing Time into Your Day

Fortunately there are many ways to survive a sedentary job, and one of these is to look at investing in a standing desk. The idea isn’t to go into a full standing mode, as this can be perilous in itself, especially for people suffering with heart related diseases. This is because standing puts greater strain on the circulatory system. Prolonged standing also increases the risks of varicose veins.

Here are some of the health benefits of standing more on the job and giving your body the chance of more movement throughout the day:

• Studies show that after a meal, blood sugar levels return to normal faster when standing compared to sitting. Long hours of sitting are linked to cardiovascular disease, certain cancers such as breast and colon cancer, diabetes and obesity.
• Your risk of weight gain is lowered when you stand more. However the dangers of sitting all day go beyond just obesity. Sitting hour after hour is associated with a range of mental- and physical health problems.
• Desk risers and Standing desks can reduce back pain, and participants in one study show that there is a 32% reduction in back pain after several weeks of using a standing desk.
• Standing more has a positive influence on mood and well being.

Health experts tell us that standing up every 20 minutes, even if it is only for a minute or two, can significantly reduce our risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. As people become more aware of ways they can improve their health, there has been quite a bit of hype over standing desks.

Alternate Between Sitting and Standing

The issue isn’t really about sitting or standing, but rather how much flexibility and comfort you have with either. Research has been done on groups – those seated throughout the day – and those who using a combination of sit/stand opportunities. The sit-stand group could raise or lower their desks as needed and they could sit or stand at their workstations.

The study revealed that those who could stand from time to time were 46% more productive than the sit-only group. Those using standing desks report less stress and fatigue than those who remain seated throughout the work day. Findings like this also link a sedentary lifestyle to an increase in stress and depression.

Standing More isn’t Just the Latest Health Fad

Research of the benefits of standing aren’t just originating from manufacturers of standing desks, but from studies conducted by endocrinologists. They confirm over and over again that a sedentary lifestyle is seriously detrimental in the long-term.

Besides just standing, try to incorporate some exercise into your workplace to further boost the health benefits. Try these stationary yoga moves for example at work to improve your posture and improve blood circulation.

A Gradual but Steady Start of Standing More

Failing to stand more and introduce more activities into your day can be linked to obesity and other diseases. The key to reducing the risk of obesity isn’t to go from a sitting lifestyle into a full-time standing lifestyle, but to rather introduce moderate levels of standing and movement throughout the day.


Reference:
1. Shmerling. R. Harvard Health Publishing. The truth behind standing desks. Available at https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-truth-behind-standing-desks-2016092310264
2. Banar, M. Livestrong.com. How to Lose Weight While Standing. Available at https://www.livestrong.com/article/371881-how-to-lose-weight-while-standing/
3. CUErgo. Sitting and Standing at Work. Available at http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/cuesitstand.html
4. J Muller. Ergonomictrends.com. 10 Beginner Friendly Yoga Poses to Relieve Back Pain and Strengthen Your Back. Available at http://ergonomictrends.com/beginner-yoga-poses-relieve-back-pain-strengthen-back/