It’s been proven that sitting too much during the day is bad for a person’s health. In fact, individuals who sit a lot each day are at an increased risk of health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and even early death. Also, if a person sits most of the day, they aren’t burning many calories, which leads to obesity and weight gain.
Inactivity is one of the biggest issues for office workers. That’s because they sit for most of the day and have limited movement around the office. The good news is that standing desks are growing in popularity, which means that more office workers are realizing the importance of doing more than sitting all day.
What Is the Standing Desk?
A standing desk, which is also called a stand-up desk, lets the user stand up while working. There are many versions of these desks, including any Australian ergonomic standing desk, and each one offers features and options that make it appealing and comfortable to a specific user. For example, there are some that are adjustable, which means it is possible to change the desk’s height and alternate between standing and sitting.
This type of desk is referred to as a height-adjustable desk or a sit-stand desk. While research is still going on, it looks like using a standing desk can have several health benefits. A sit-stand desk may also help to increase productivity.
Reduce the Risk of Obesity and Weight Gain
Weight gain is the result of consuming more calories than a person burns. On the other hand, burning more calories than are consumed results in weight loss. While exercising is the most effective way to burn calories, standing rather than sitting is also beneficial.
Compared to a day of sedentary work, spending the same amount of time standing will burn an estimated 170 more calories. That is about 1000 additional calories burned every week just by standing up. As a result, standing up can help a person lose weight.
Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
The more a person’s blood sugar levels increase after a meal, the worse it is for their health. This is especially problematic for those who suffer from type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance. In a study involving 10 office workers who stood for 180 minutes after they ate lunch reduced the blood sugar spike approximately 43 percent compared to those who sat for the same amount of time.
Both groups in the study took the same number of steps. This indicates the reduced spike was the result of standing, not more movement around the office. This makes it clear that standing is beneficial and offers health advantages.
Getting the Right Stand Up Desk
Remember, not all stand-up desks are created equal. A person needs to take some time to find one that works for their needs and the work environment. Doing so is going to pay off in the long run and help ensure that the health benefits mentioned here are seen.