8 Health Benefits of Standing Desk

If you’ve ever worked in an office, you’ll notice the growing trend of people standing up at their desks. This is more than just a personal choice for the sake of comfort. There are considerable health benefits of standing desk.

So, if you’re wondering why so many businesses, employees and even work-from-home staff members are choosing sit-stand workstations over traditional desks, keep reading the 8 benefits of standing desk.

1. Burning Calories

It may not be the same as working up a sweat with some hectic cardio, but you’ll burn more calories standing vs sitting. This is one of the main benefits of standing office desks. It’s estimated that you can burn around 100-200 calories each hour just from standing, compared to 60-130 calories while sitting. So, while you won’t see kilograms falling off your frame, it certainly adds up.

The other benefit is just the fact that you’re standing up means you’ll likely move more. Whether it’s a quick stroll to a colleague’s desk or even just doing basic desk exercises. You tend to move more when you’re already standing, resulting in even more calories burned.

2. Improves Posture

Consider your regular desk sitting posture. Unless you pay special attention to it, your posture for sitting at a desk probably isn’t great. In our standard sitting desk posture, we often tend to slump forward, which can cause a whole range of health problems, including back, shoulder, wrist, arm and other physical issues.

The best way to use a standing desk is to switch between standing and sitting regularly. While standing, you will have better posture. When you return to a seated position, you’re more likely to maintain a good posture. The problems usually arise when we sit for long periods without movement.

3. Reduces Back Pain

Ask anybody with back pain if standing desks are good for you, and you’ll usually get a positive answer. That’s because sitting at a desk for long periods puts enormous strain on the discs in our backs. Comfortable ergonomic office chairs can certainly help with this, but a stand-up computer desk is even better.

The slouching posture many people fall into while sitting for long periods significantly contributes to back pain. Standing more regularly provides relief for back pain. For many people, it can even limit the onset of back pain in the first place.

4. Improves Overall Mood

It might sound strange, but standing helps improve your overall mood. We spend a lot of time at work, and sitting in the same place for too long becomes a drag. However, using a modern height adjustable office desk makes you feel more alive while standing up.

You’re also more likely to engage with co-workers and get more out of your work day experience. You feel better when you move a little more, and your overall mood improves.

5. Increased Focus

Along with a little mood boost, an office standing desk can help you focus better on your daily tasks. Have you ever noticed that after a long period of sitting at your desk, it gets harder and harder to concentrate? That’s because your whole body relaxes, and your mind often follows. Plus, sitting at an office desk isn’t largely inspiring.

The basic ergonomics of a standing desk mean standing up and sitting down becomes a regular process. It’s almost like a mental reset button. When you move from a sitting position to standing, it’s a chance to refresh your mind and maintain focus. Also, sit-stand desks often encourage people to take proper breaks, greatly benefiting focus and concentration.

6. Better Circulation

Everybody has different levels of circulation. Generally, an active lifestyle improves circulation while a sedentary lifestyle worsens it. Of course, this is a generalisation and not true for everybody. But the human body was made to move, and movement definitely improves circulation.

Sitting in one place for too long leads to discomfort, but it can also create more severe problems like blood clots. Instead, the simple movement of standing up and taking a few steps gets the blood flowing more freely around our body and therefore improves circulation.

7. Reduced Risk of Repetitive Strain Injuries

One of the most common injuries for office workers is repetitive strain injury (RSI). Due to ongoing keyboard use, it often occurs in the hands and wrists. Carpal tunnel syndrome is essentially a pinched nerve in the wrist. It is prevalent among people who do a lot of typing.

Ergonomic desk assessments, better chairs, and sit-standing desks all help reduce the risk of RSI. You tend to be more conscious of your wrist position when you stand up to type. Ideally, it should be hovering over the keyboard, but people who type a lot tend to let their wrists drop and rest on the desk. A sit-stand desk won’t automatically fix this, but the switch between sitting and standing can work as a trigger to adjust your wrists to a healthier position.

8. More Energy

Finally, standing desks give you a little more energy to get through the day. Even the slightest movements during the day help to boost your energy and keep you more alert. Sitting in one position staring at a computer screen for hours has the opposite effect.

The benefits of a standing desk can come back to this one point in many ways. When standing, you’re more alert and more energised. This helps with focus and mood and makes it much easier to get through a long day at the office.

Looking For the Best Standing Desks in Australia?

Direct Office has worked with businesses and members of the public for years, providing healthy office furniture solutions. So whether you’re setting up an office at home or you need to redesign an entire office, we’re the team to call. Our expert team can give you the right advice every time. Best of all, our online service ensures that we keep prices affordable.

We pride ourselves on filling orders fast, meaning you can have your brand-new standing desks delivered quickly. So, if you’re ready to find out why so many companies choose Direct Office, contact us today!