How Long Should You Stand at a Standing Desk?
There has been a long-standing debate between the benefits of standing and sitting at the office. But too much of anything is harmful. How much is too much when it comes to standing at the desk? Let us take a look at the risks of standing for long periods of time and discuss the best ways to decide on how long to sit and stand everyday.
Pros of standing
Sitting has become the new smoking. When you sit for long hours, it can increase the risk of developing serious health problems. It can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and an increase in cholesterol levels. Many people spend more than eight hours at the desk and then hit the couch before retiring to bed. This has become a routine for the majority of professionals in the country. It leads to a sedentary lifestyle and several health problems.
Studies have shown that individuals who sit at work for eight or more hours a day have a high risk of chronic illness or risk of dying which is similar to the risks of obesity and smoking. It is important to engage in moderate physical activity to combat the side effects of sitting too much and in order to achieve this, workplaces have moved to standing desks so that the workers do not spend the entire workday being seated in the office chair. When you stand at work, it will increase the number of calories you burn and that will help with weight loss and an increase in energy. Standing desks can reduce stress, enhance productivity, and also have a positive impact on the mood.
Cons of standing
It is not okay to stand throughout the day and doing so will have health risks. Standing all day at work is not easy and it can lead to pain in the leg muscles, and lower back pain. It can also lead to discomfort and reduce reaction times. Physically, individuals who stand all day have also reported leg swelling and muscle fatigue.
How long is too long?
If you use standing desks at work, you need to sit from time to time. When there is a choice between sitting and standing, you should practice both. The best thing to do is to move between standing and sitting throughout the workday. You can spend one-hour standing and two hours sitting. Invest in a height-adjustable desk to do that. It allows you height adjustment using a simple push-button.
Like all things, too much of any activity will not do any good to you. Do not spend all day standing or sitting but alternate between the two. Keep in mind to take short breaks throughout the day and walk around a bit. When taking calls or during the coffee break, take a short walk within the area. Standing is certainly better than sitting but doing it in excess could do more harm than good.
