Tips on How to Make a Standing Desk Work for You

Much has been said about the health benefits of working at standing desks. According to studies, it helps burn more calories than sitting and regulates the spikes in blood sugar that employees experience throughout the workday, among other things. They also keep workers awake, especially during the slow hours after the midday break.

Even so, it can only provide health benefits if people use it. That is akin to buying exercise equipment and not using it; no matter how advanced a piece of technology is, it is useless if it remains tucked away in a corner.

Do people use stand-up workspaces?

A study by The Heart Foundation and the University of Sydney surveyed 42 office-based employees over a 12-month period. They found that these types of desks were effective in reducing sitting time in employees. At the start of the study, nearly 80 percent of participants spent the majority of their time sitting at their desks. By its end, this was cut down to 60 percent. Participants said they experienced benefits like feeling less fatigued and being more agile.

Another study, published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, shows that more research needs to be done. This is because the difference in energy expenditure between sitting and standing is minimal. According to this study, sitting while working burns 80 calories an hour, while standing burns 88 calories. As such, the cumulative effect of standing over long periods of time does not seem to have much bearing. 

While the jury is still out on how helpful stand-up workspaces are in burning calories, there are health benefits that cannot be ignored. It is prudent to think of standing while eating in terms of dieting. When experts say it is harmful to take in excess amounts of sugar, they do not mean to remove all the sugar in your diet. Likewise, it is better to use both sit-down and stand-up workspaces.

Incorporating standing into your work routine

If you find it hard to remember that it’s time for you to work while standing, or if you find it hard to concentrate while on your feet, you can make the experience more comfortable. You can set the alarm to remind yourself that it’s time to stand up. Give yourself a ten-minute notice so that you can get ready to stand up.

Wearing flat shoes will also help you stand better. Choose ones that have enhanced foot and leg support and soft insoles. Save the heels or elaborate footwear for presentations or nights out. You can also get an anti-fatigue mat, which is specially designed for giving support while standing. Using anti-fatigue mats also prevent your muscles from locking in place.

Finally, remember to practice good posture. In the first few minutes of standing while working, it would seem more comfortable to slouch into your stance or to hunch your back. Later on, though, it will be more painful to stand with bad posture. Stand with your shoulders back, neck level and feet planted squarely on the ground, and you’ll keep posture-related joint problems away.

Conclusion

Whether you’re after health benefits or a change of pace, a standing desk is a good addition to your workspace. Make sure you optimize your use of your desk by standing straight, using comfortable shoes, and balancing the time you spend sitting and standing. Your body will surely thank you for it.

If you are looking for an electric standing desk for your home or office workstation in Australia, try the Movi Standing Desk. Its smart features like the built-in sit-stand reminder, motorized height adjustment, and auto-sleep power saving mode make standing more convenient. Browse the website or contact us today to learn more!