The Honest Pros and Cons of Standing Desks

As years go on, more and more attention is being paid to the health complications associated with sitting for long periods of time at your office desk. And as a result, many offices are converting to adjustable standing desks to counter attack this unhealthy trend.

It’s very common for workers to spend long hours each day sitting in office cubicles in front of a computer. People might try to counteract sitting all day by sticking to a strict workout schedule. But even if you spend hours at the gym lifting weights, doing strenuous cardio, and have a resting heart rate below the average, this doesn’t protect you from “sitting disease” – the health hazards of sitting.

Here’s how sitting affects your health: when you slump in your chair, your calorie-burning slows to a third of the rate compared to walking. Metabolism drops. As a result, your risk of becoming obese and developing diabetes grows. The link between sitting and obesity was established recently by the American Cancer Society. It found that people who stand for at least a quarter of the day reduce their chances of becoming obese. The benefits are more pronounced for women than men.

But just like everything else, too much of one thing isn’t always good for you either.  And it turns out, prolonged standing causes health problems too. Plenty of studies show that it increases the risk of carotid atherosclerosis (a disease of the arteries) due to the extra load on your circulatory system. You’re more likely to get varicose veins, which cause all sorts of complications.

Sitting Desks can help you with:

• Correcting bad posture

• Burns calories

• Increases energy

• Lowers long-term mortality risk associated with diabetes or obesity

What happens if you stand for too long:

• Joint and foot pain

• Varicose veins

• Carotid atherosclerosis

• Compressed spine

Standing desks, if used correctly, could be part of the solution to sitting disease. If standing leads you to do more walking, that’s a win! To help reduce cardiovascular strain, be sure to get an anti-fatigue mat. Realistically, you should focus on moving around throughout the day. Don’t just sit there. Don’t just stand there. Stand a little. Sit a little. Walk a little. Stretch a little.

At ROSI Office Systems, we believe the best work environment offers a balance – standing or sitting when you want. We are proud to supply a variety of office furniture in Houston options to fit your needs! Contact us today for a free consultation!