Stand & Be Fit!
Sitting vs. Standing
If you’re like most office workers, you spend the majority of your day sitting at a desk. Since most jobs have computers as a hub, this sedentary position is no surprise. However, the amount of strain sitting in one position puts on our bodies is worth mentioning. Many workers suffer from back pain, and some even struggle with neck and shoulder pain from feeling so cramped in such a confining space and working from that position. Maybe it is time for you try an adjustable height ergonomic desk.
A recent study by Cornell University’s Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Laboratory found that most people prefer to work on an adjustable desk that allows them to stand part of the day while still working on their computers. When this option was available, people chose to stand about 20% of their work day. You, too, may appreciate the benefits of sitting and occasionally standing at work.
Benefits of the Sit-or-Stand Ergonomic Desk:
Comfort: In the Cornell study, people who had the option of standing at their computer, while maintaining ergonomic posture, reported less discomfort in both their upper bodies. If you have problems or pain in your neck and shoulders or even your back, this option of standing may relieve it. Even if you do not have injuries or specific pain, rotating between sitting and standing can relieve musculoskeletal discomfort by 20%.- Productivity: Interestingly, a common tip for increasing productivity at work is to get up and take a break. This same principle applies, even if you are still working. A USC study discovered that the brain can process information 5% to 20% faster while standing. Standing up can relieve strain on the body and increasing blood circulation to the brain.
- Health: In addition to the health benefits of relieving pain and discomfort, medical research has determined that people who stand at their jobs tend to be healthier than those who sit. A study at the University of Missouri found that standing up is often as important as exercising in the process of burning calories and losing weight.
An adjustable height ergonomic desk provides quite a few health and productivity benefits. Look into well-designed desks such as the Hercules Sit-or-Stand Ergonomic Desk that sits on your current work surface and adjusts your monitor, keyboard and mouse together in one move.