As workplaces are evolving, the popularity of flexible working has boomed. Though we might commonly think of this as having the option to work from home or flexi-time, another adjustment taking the world by storm is to allow employees the flexibility to work standing up.
But how might it benefit you?
1. Improved productivity.
In 2018, 146 NHS staff were part of a study to see if there was a correlation between standing at work and overall performance. The results, published in the British Medical Journal, found that standing can significantly improve productivity.
Another study also found that standing at work can boost productivity. After analysing 53 studies published by Applied Ergonomics, researchers found that 66% of people feel more productive and 87% feel like they have more energy, even just by standing for one hour every day.
2. Reduced back and neck pain.
It is only natural that sitting in the same position for long periods of time can cause your joints to become stiff and sore. That’s why many people invest in ergonomic chairs with lumbar support for their daily tasks.
That said, even ergonomic furniture cannot completely compensate for being sat still every day. Standing, on the other hand, can allow you to stretch your joints and keep yourself moving, reducing the risk of back and neck pain in the long run.
Of course, this does mean that you will need to ensure that the desk is the right height to suit you. In order to effectively do this, adjustable sit/stand desks might be the best option for you. These desks can be set at a variety of different heights, making them suitable for both sitting and standing comfortably, regardless of how tall you are.
3. Burns calories.
It is important to ensure that we do not consume more calories than we burn – this is how we put on weight, too much of which can lead to a multitude of health problems in the future.
Luckily, even when we are stationary, we burn calories – just whilst sitting at your desk you can burn 60 to 130 calories an hour. However, you can actually burn more calories being stood up. In fact, standing up can burn around 100 to 200 calories per hour.
4. Better circulation.
If you have ever been on a long-haul flight, you will know that sitting still for a long time can cause your blood to pool in your legs – yet, we still do this to our bodies every day at work. Instead, standing up can allow your blood to pump more effectively around your body, improving your circulation, as well as your overall cardiovascular health.
5. Improves your posture.
Standing at work can allow you to work on your posture, which in turn can improve the health of your joints and muscles. That said, there does need to be a conscious decision to stand correctly, as slouching will not do you any favours.
In addition to this, standing can strengthen the muscles in your feet, legs, ankles, and even your core.
6. Less chance of wrist strain.
When you work sitting down, you might find that your wrists rest against the desk, laptop, or keyboard. This can cause your wrists to become strained. However, standing at a desk can allow you to more comfortably hold your arms at a 90 degree angle, which is much better for your wrists.
