Are Standing Desks Good For You?

Standing desks are becoming increasingly popular, thanks to a number of benefits they offer. But, are they actually good for you? If you’re contemplating purchasing a standing desk for your home or office, but aren’t quite convinced of the benefits, then you’ve come to the right place. 

Today, we’re deep diving into the physical, mental and financial benefits of standing desks. While the definition of ‘good’ can mean different things to different people, we’re strictly looking at how standing desks can benefit the mind, body and bank account.

Physical Benefits

By now you have likely heard the phrase, ‘sitting is the new smoking’. This statement might seem extreme, yet the consequences of spending long hours sitting at your desk five days a week cannot be ignored. Couple that with long hours spent on the couch or commuting in the car, and the physical toll of sitting is almost inevitable. 

Scientific research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and poor posture. According to the Mayo Clinic, an analysis of 13 studies of sitting time and activity levels found that those who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks of dying posed by obesity and smoking. 

So it doesn’t take a doctor or research scientist to see that reducing your time spent parked in a chair can have physical benefits. 

For standing desks, this is a huge victory.

In addition to providing a physical break from sitting all day, standing desks reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity, while increasing your endurance. Most people often forget that the simple act of standing not only burns more kilojoules but gravity causes blood to pool in your legs and abdomen. This decreases blood pressure because there’s less blood circulating back to your heart is better for your blood pressure

In short, using a stand desk allows you to burn more energy and lower your blood pressure, which boosts your chances of  a longer, healthier life and an overall sense of well-being. 

Having a stand desk set up at home or in the office is also helpful for those who suffer from chronic back pain or sciatica. Unlike standing, sitting at your desk doesn’t engage your core muscles, so spending long periods of time in a chair can cause these muscles to weaken. A strong ‘core’ is essential for keeping your hips and upper body in alignment, so making the switch to standing desk allows you to work while keeping these critical muscles activated.

man and woman standing at stand desks

Mental Health Benefits

Aside from the physical benefits, standing desks also have a powerful impact on your mind. Sitting at your desk for long periods of time has also been linked to increased risk of cognitive decline and poor mental focus. A recent study found that those who sit for long periods during the day had thinner medial temporal lobes, which can be an early sign of cognitive decline and dementia in middle-aged and older adults.

In addition to this, a number of other clinical studies have shown that sitting for long periods of time results in a decreased level of physical activity and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This means that your brain is being deprived of oxygen and blood flow, which negatively affects short-term memory, concentration and focus. It also leaves you more vulnerable to mental issues like anxiety and depression. 

So, if you’re tired of feeling lethargic, distracted and unable to focus at work or home, then standing up more often can do more than improve your body. It can also help you feel more refreshed mentally too!

Financial Benefits

A common misconception about standing desks is that they are expensive. Although the upfront cost of standing desks can be a little pricey compared to some traditional desk setups, the compounding benefits of investing into your health are worth the cost. However, there are also some direct financial benefits to standing desks too! 

A recent study conducted by VicHealth and the National Health and Medical Research Council found that giving standing desks to 20 percent of office workers would save $84 million in healthcare costs and 7,492 health-adjusted life years by preventing obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to the first evaluation in Australia. 

We hear so many stories about business owners and individuals who resist buying a standing desk because of the cost. But according to Lan Gao, Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Deakin University, the savings derived from standing up at work would offset the cost of making the switch from sit-down desk setups. 

“Up until now a barrier to their widespread introduction has been the perceived prohibitive cost,” Dr Gao said, in a recent interview with the ABC

“So far there has not been any published evidence of the cost-effectiveness of such workstations, particularly when coupled with the associated education and support that is needed to help ensure their uptake and sustained use.

“So ours is the first Australian study to show these interventions are good value for money.”

Business owners could save money on having to cover sick leave for employees who take time off for chronic back pain, migraines or other health issues that can be exacerbated by sit-down desks. Whereas people who work from home or for themselves won’t have to take time off without pay for similar reasons. In other words, standing desks aren’t just good for your mind and body, they’re good for your bank account as well. 

So, are standing desks good for you?

It’s a resounding yes and the sole reason why we are passionate about our products. Standing desks are good for you and a superb investment into your physical and mental health. 

If you can spend a little more upfront, the cost savings over the course of your wellbeing are unfounded. In particular, if you’re looking to reduce your risk of chronic illness or want to increase your energy level, better focus and overall productivity, then investing in a standing desk could be the right choice for you. 

Get started on building a happier, healthier and more productive future by exploring our range of bamboo standing desks available in 3 gorgeous colours. Or, contact us on 1800 905 107 to speak with our experts further about how our standing desks operate.

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