Standing desks have been in the news a lot in recent years as a way to promote your overall health. Unlike any newer idea, there are lots of people against standing desks, but the majority of chiropractors and other experts agree that you should definitely use a stand up desk. The caveat, however, is that you have to be using it correctly. Otherwise, you can do more harm than good.
Standing Prevents Weight Gain
Obviously the best way to prevent yourself from gaining weight or becoming obese is exercising and eating right. Other small things, however, can make a smaller impact and help encourage these healthy habits; using a stand up desk is one of these things. Just by standing at your desk during the afternoon instead of sitting while at work could help you burn an extra 170 calories depending on your weight.
Helps Fight Diabetes
Blood sugar levels are closely related to diabetes and standing desks can help fight this. Studies have found significant decreases in blood sugar spikes for those who stood at their desks for three hours or simply alternated sitting and standing every half hour.
Reduces Back Pain
Chiropractors are among the most vocal supporters of standing desks and for good reason; using one of these desks will reduce your back pain. Multiple studies have supported this claim and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence as well.
Other Reasons To Use A Standing Desk
Standing at your desk instead of sitting has also been shown to improve mood, increase energy, reduce the risk of heart disease, improve productivity, and even extend your life span.
Use Your Stand Up Desk Correctly
As mentioned earlier, if you don’t use your standing desk properly, you may not see any positive results. One of the most important things is to switch between sitting and standing. Just like sitting for a long time can hurt your health, standing can put a strain on your leg muscles. You also want to use proper posture since without this, your back will still suffer the consequences and may even be more painful than if you slouched in your seat all day. Avoid this issue by properly adjusting your screen and keyboard and making sure the table is right at the height of your elbow or directly below this. If you need help checking your standing desk posture, give us a call.
