This blog is sponsored by NAPO Business Partner, Bush Furniture

Most people recognize the ergonomic benefits of a good desk chair when it comes to maintaining health and productivity in the workplace, but what about the desk itself?

As more information becomes available about the negative effects of remaining seated for long periods of time — some have even gone as far as saying “sitting is the new smoking” — many health-conscious employers and employees have begun to look for an alternative to the traditional office desk. Having been used throughout history by writers and artists, standing desks and height adjustable or “sit-stand” desks are now experiencing a revival due to their ergonomics and versatility.

A properly sized standing desk should allow the user to comfortably operate a keyboard and mouse while standing with a straight back and elbows bent at a 90 degree angle. For many, this alone will improve posture and help ease the back, shoulder and neck soreness that comes from sitting in a slouched position.

If eight hours or more sounds like too much time to spend on your feet, you’re not alone. Sore feet are a common complaint from full-time workers who are adjusting to using a standing desk for the first time. Drafting stools that have an adjustable foot ring provide a useful seating option for taking short breaks, and standing mats can be incorporated to provide cushioning for the feet; just make sure to consider the added height and whether you’ll be wearing shoes when choosing the size of your desk.

For a more flexible option, height adjustable desks allow the user to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the workday. Quality sit-to-stand desks can usually be found with height ranges between 23 and 50 inches. Older versions may include a hand-operated crank that moves the surface up and down; while newer models are typically electric powered and can feature programmable presets for faster and easier adjustment.
Some desks have mechanisms that allow the surface to be lifted up and locked into place at designated heights. While these may not match the range provided by electric height adjustable desks, they tend to be a more budget-friendly choice.

Thinking about making the switch? Here are some of the ways a standing or height adjustable desk can make a difference in your daily life:

Muscular Health

The simple act of supporting your own body weight can help fight against muscle atrophy in the lower body and core. Atrophy can occur for a number of reasons, but the most common — and the easiest to prevent — is lack of use. If you’ve noticed a loss of size, strength and flexibility in your legs over time, long hours spent seated at a desk could be to blame. This is of particular concern to anyone already experiencing the natural muscle loss that results from aging. Luckily, the atrophy that occurs when muscles aren’t stimulated can be reversed by taking breaks from long periods of sitting along with performing basic strength-building exercises and stretching. Standing has also been shown to burn more calories than sitting, so time on your feet could result in inches off your waistline.

Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure are also risks associated with sedentary jobs, which have increased by 83% since 1950 according to the American Heart Association. Prolonged sitting negatively affects the muscles’ ability to burn fat and restricts blood flow, which can allow fatty acids to clog the heart. Studies show that sitting more than 10 hours per day greatly increases the risk of heart disease — meaning that a full eight-hour workday, a 30 minute commute to and from the office, and an hour of television when you get home can have a significant impact on your health. Standing or height adjustable desks are a convenient way to limit the amount of time spent seated during work hours.

Brain Function

If you’ve ever left the office feeling “foggy” after a long day, it may be due to more than mental exertion. Productivity, mood and energy levels can also suffer from staying seated for long periods of time as regular movement helps deliver fresh blood and oxygen to the brain. A recent study from UCLA even suggests that prolonged sitting can damage the part of the brain responsible for creating new memories. The chemicals released in the brain when the body is active — serotonin, norepinephrine, BDNF, dopamine and endorphins — are shown to improve cognitive ability along with working to reduce stress and anxiety. Alternating between sitting and standing or finding time for quick exercise breaks can help keep you focused and avoid “crashing” late in the day.

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If you’re ready to give standing or height adjustable desks a try, we recommend taking it slow at first while your body adjusts. The phrase “everything in moderation” definitely applies here as the physical strain of standing eight hours or more without building up to it can cause its own set of problems. A practical way to ease in is to set a timer reminding you to change positions at regular intervals throughout the day.

Improving health and productivity in the workplace could be as simple as getting out of your seat. With a variety of standing and height adjustable desks available to meet any budget, there’s never been a better time to take a stand.

For more information about Bush Furniture, please visit their website at www.bushfurniture.com . They are a trusted leader in designing furnishing solutions that meet work and home needs.