We’ve all been there: bent over a computer, tapping away while the minutes pass with our backs hurting and our shoulders rounded. If you’ve ever been in this (bad) situation, it’s probable that you’ve questioned what the advantages of a standing desk at work are.
Over the past few years, standing workstations and treadmill desks have become more and more common. According to a recent poll of HR professionals, the use of standing desks as an office perk supplied by employers increased by 7% in the previous year. One of those wellness solutions that are simple for companies to support and significantly boosts office morale is the availability of standing desks.
One of our major goals at the Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin is to assist you in working safely and comfortably. Your back’s health is important to us. Learn about standing desk ergonomics to prevent back strain and the harm caused by prolonged computer use. The advantages of standing at work are listed below.
Ergonomics of a Standing Desk: Select the Proper Position
The term ergonomics is frequently used in reference to computer hardware and office furniture. The term “ergonomics” describes how engineers construct objects to comfortably fit the contours of the human body. Office furniture makers have some brilliant ideas to help you have better posture while you work using biotechnology and design engineering.
Early versions of standing workstations frequently consisted of a few boxes or a stack of books propped up behind your laptop. A standing desk may now be adjusted using various levers to raise and modify the keyboard, keep the monitor at eye level (to prevent “hunching” and neck strain), and even provide a comfortable wrist pad for your mouse.
It’s not always practical to stand while performing each duty. Take a call, participate in a video conference, or send a fast email as examples of simple standing activities. However, writing, designing, or doing extensive research may be more comfortable when done while seated. Allow yourself some time to settle into a standing and sitting schedule. Throughout the day, try to stand for a couple of 15 to 30-minute periods until you find a balance that is comfortable for you.
Measures to prevent knee and leg strain are another part of standing desk ergonomics to take into account. Wearing heels or standing for an extended period of time with your knees locked can strain your legs and even lower back. Maintain a relaxed bend in your knees. Wear supportive, comfortable shoes while standing, and look for a comfy standing mat designed to go with the desk.
Opt for a height-adjustable standing desk. Many alternatives allow you to easily raise and lower the platform that carries your computer while sitting right on top of your conventional desk using hydraulics. It is simple to enjoy all the advantages of standing at work with these ergonomic standing desks.
A standing desk is a terrific way to enhance your health while working, whether you’re in your home office or in a crowded shared environment. Here are seven advantages of standing at work:
1. Burns Calories
Even if you are just standing still, standing burns more calories than sitting. Now, there aren’t many calories in the difference between standing and sitting. While sitting burns 60–130 calories per hour, standing burns approximately 100–200 calories per hour. But it can pile up over time.
Standing at work has another calorie-burning advantage: it changes your thinking. You’re more likely to keep your mind in “fitness mode” when you’re standing up. Throughout the day, you’ll stroll about a little bit more frequently. You might perform some leg lifts or quickly rest by performing some squats or jumping jacks. You may burn more calories during your workday by making these small changes in your activity.
2. Gives you a burst of energy
According to a review of 53 research papers in the Applied Ergonomics journal, using a standing desk encouraged employees to move about more. Spending just one hour of the workday standing up increased productivity and energy levels for employees by 66% and 87%, respectively, according to UK researchers. They started the Smart Work and Life initiative to encourage office workers to be more active because the findings were so helpful.
You may stay awake and alert by being active throughout the day in small ways. When you “think on your feet,” you feel more involved. Adding a few standing breaks to your job will help you regain some of your energy and enthusiasm if you’re feeling drained throughout the day.
3. Enhances Posture
You can improve your posture at the computer by using a standing desk with good ergonomics. You should bend your arms at your sides at 100-degree angles with your monitor at eye level and about 20 inches away from your face at a 20-degree tilt. Weight should be distributed evenly between the legs as the wrists rest comfortably above the keyboard.
When you stand frequently, the proper posture position will become automatic and won’t compress your spine the way sitting can. Sitting for longer lengths of time can strain your back and discs, causing pain in your neck, shoulders, and back.
4. Eases back discomfort
You might believe that back discomfort is brought on by sitting, much like poor posture, but you don’t have to accept it as a side effect of your job or live with it. Your little back ache will probably go away if you sit in a supportive chair with lumbar support and alternate with periods of standing.
Eight out of ten people have back discomfort at some point in their life, according to the National Institutes of Health. It may be time to contact one of our orthopedic experts to see whether you require more treatment if your discomfort doesn’t go away after making a few small posture adjustments.
5. Aids in Wrist Positioning
Your wrists may have started to “rest” on your keyboard if you’ve ever typed while sitting with a laptop on your lap. Wrist aches and strain may result from this. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a pinched nerve in the wrist, sufferers may experience more pain when their wrists are held incorrectly (contrary to popular assumption, there is no connection between CTS and keyboard use).
Being aware of the tension on your body and how your wrists are positioned while you work is a smart idea. You can comfortably maintain your arms bent at a 90–100 degree angle if you utilize a standing workstation. This is frequently a more ergonomic position, and it could even speed up your typing!
6. Continues Circulation
Our body was designed to move if we think about how humans have evolved. Standing helps us develop stronger core muscles, better balance, and stronger leg muscles. We also stop blood clots in the legs from developing. Blood flow in the legs may slow and pool in people who sit for extended periods of time (like on an airplane). In the worst-case scenario, a blood clot may result from this.
We move our legs as we stand up, which increases blood flow throughout our bodies. According to certain research, persons who sat for extended periods of time had worse cardiovascular health and even lower life spans. One aspect of a healthier lifestyle is standing a lot.
7. Improves Concentration and Mood
Finally, standing up can help you focus and feel better, which will help you be more productive if your workday seems long and you frequently get sidetracked. People who stood up at work in a call center were 50% more productive, according to Texas A&M University research.
We feel better when we are standing, and when we feel good, we are typically in a better mood. An incidental benefit of standing at work, according to study participants, is improved mood. So get up and move around if your day at work is slow or you’re feeling gloomy.
You can work, play, and live pain-free with the aid of the Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin. Please contact us for an evaluation if you’re feeling uncomfortable at work. We can assist you in moving and working comfortably.
