Most of us work at desks where we have to sit in front of our laptops all day. After the COVID-19 pandemic, our sitting time has greatly increased. Now we have started doing a lot of work in our home office. This is thanks to the hybrid working mode. Sitting continuously for long periods of time with little activity can lead to many health problems. In order to maintain good health, we should use a standing desk or a seated standing desk.
What is a standing or sit-stand desk?
Have you tried adjusting your laptop by placing it on a stack of books or moving your chair up and down to maintain the correct angle to your desk? This leveling is made easier when you can also elevate your desk.
A standing desk is basically a desk that can be lowered enough to sit on a chair and adjust the height so you can work even while standing.
Now, you must be thinking, what are the benefits of working while standing? Standing work has many health benefits over sitting work.
Here are 3 health benefits of using a standing desk
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you burn more calories
Research published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health shows that we burn 80 calories an hour while sitting. Typing or watching TV burns the same number of calories. On the other hand, standing burns about 88 calories/hour. Walking burns 210 calories/hour. However, walking burns the most calories.
In fact, we cannot walk while working, so the option of standing for a while can be taken.
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Relieve shoulder and back pain
All desk workers have a common problem. That’s shoulder and back pain. We sit in front of our laptops all day, and this sitting position causes back pain. According to a 2018 study, people reported a 50 percent reduction in their low back pain after using a standing desk for a few weeks. Incorrect posture only causes pain. We stood up straight and the problem went away automatically.
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Control blood sugar levels
Your blood sugar levels will rise after eating. Studies have shown that employees who work standing up after lunch have their blood sugar levels returning to normal much faster than those who work while sitting. Sitting and working after meals can increase your risk of diabetes. Therefore it is recommended to walk or stand.
Because sitting and working for a long time increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer (especially colon or breast cancer) and premature death. So a standing desk can be used. This helps reduce the risk of all these health problems.
