What is a sit stand desk?

You may have heard of a sit stand desk, but do you know why they are so good for you? We run through the benefits for health, productivity and general wellbeing.

A sit stand desk allows you to alternate between sitting and standing to allow freedom of movement throughout the day. It is configured for comfortable working in a standing position for tasks such as phone calls or casual meetings. The desk is easily adjustable, and often has a motor to move the desk up and down to the desired height. A sit stand desk lets you move more at your desk, helping you to become less static and more active. It prompts you to leave the chair behind for a time, flex your muscles and joints and avoid sedentary practices that contribute to a variety of health conditions.

Helps guard against serious diseases

Adults on average sit for 7 -10 hours per day. Moving more boosts metabolism, lowers blood sugar levels to help prevent diabetes. Standing up also helps move fats and sugar around the body, preventing harmful build up and contributing to weight gain. Standing after meals can also help prevent a rise in blood sugar.

Whilst using a sit stand desk won’t necessarily help you lose weight, alternating between sitting and standing will ensure that you are moving and still burning calories compared with sitting down.

Helps to prevent back and neck pain

From a posture point of view, a sit stand desk can really help prevent back pain and relieve strain on other joints caused by sitting for too long. Many office workers report back pain which is caused by sitting for a long time without an adequate chair, supports or monitor set up. By using a sit stand desk, you can help avoid neck strain and muscle degeneration associated with long periods of sitting.

Improve mood and energy

Keeping physically active has a positive effect on your mood, releasing endorphins and boosting energy levels. Moving more and avoiding sedentary behaviour caused by sitting at a desk, will help with your general wellbeing at work as it forces you to alternate and add variety into your day.

Helps improve productivity

Some tasks are better placed to sitting and some can be easily done standing. Standing up increases blood flow to the brain which helps to give a boost to energy levels and productivity. Standing tasks include casual meetings, phone calls or responding to emails, whereas sitting tasks that require more concentration include designs, data entry or editing.

What to remember…

• Be aware that long periods of standing can also have an adverse effect on your health in terms of pressure, risk of varicose veins. You should continue to move in a standing position, transferring weight to each leg and shifting position regularly. Start slow, with 30 minutes at a time and gradually increase the amount of standing you do as it suits the particular task.
• Not all roles are suited to sit stand desks. If you have a job that requires a lot of sitting, then ensure you take regular breaks. Make a hot drink chat with a colleague or get some fresh air.
• There are a wide variety of sit stand desks available on the market. Some models are fitted with pre-set heights for easier adjustment, Take the time to find the right desk for you, and consider whether you may need to share the desk with others.
• If budget it a concern, then why not try a height adjustable workstation so you can still use your current desk.

If you need help choosing the right sit stand desk for your exact requirements then why not have a chat with one of our furniture experts for more advice? We’re ready to answer any queries you may have.