If you work in an office, you would have seen or even experienced this – slumped over a computer, typing away, back aching, shoulders hunched as the hours tick away. In fact, you may have contemplated standing to work to minimise the back ache.
Standing desks and adjustable tables have gained popularity over the past several years.
It is definitely not practical to be standing at work for a long period of time writing, designing or even researching. So before standing tables in Singapore were introduced, employees found creative ways to elevate their laptops using a few boxes or a pile of books. Now, many standing desks can be adjusted according to your preferred height to keep your monitor at eye level (to eliminate “hunching” and neck straining). Thanks to these standing desks, the benefits of standing while working can be reaped.
1. Reduce Obesity
Obesity and weight gain is mainly caused by taking in more calories than you burn. Although exercising is the most effective way to burn those stubborn calories quickly, simply choosing to stand instead of sitting can also be beneficial as you burn more calories standing still compared to sitting.
Now, the calories difference between standing and sitting isn’t huge. Standing burns about 100 to 200 calories per hour while sitting burns 60 to 130 calories per hour. But over time, this number adds up!
2. Reduce Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common complaints received from people who sit all day at work. It is not advisable to sit for prolonged periods and this certainly does not bode well for those who have desk jobs. But back pain is not something you have to live with or accept as part of your job.
Studies have shown that alternating your normal working schedule with intermittent standing bouts can significantly reduce the risk of back pain. Your normal desk chair can also be replaced with a comfortable ergonomic chair designed with back and lumbar support to rectify your posture.
Learn More: Different Office Chair Types: Which is for you?
3. Enhance Productivity
Studies showed that when switched to a height-adjustable desk, performance had improved and more engaged at work after one year of usage.
Standing with adjustable tables provides an improved working environment by giving better comfort and also brings higher satisfaction. If you are having a slow work day, see how it improves when you get on your feet.
4. Lower the Risk of Heart Disease
The more you sit, the less you move, which puts you at a higher risk of heart disease. The phrase “sitting is the new smoking” was coined when pieces of evidence revealed that too much sitting during the day caused negative effects on health.
Sitting for prolonged periods slows down blood flow, allowing fatty acids to build up in the vessels which can ultimately lead to serious heart conditions.
To answer the question if standing and adjustable tables are worth it, the immediate answer is yes! Since so much of our time is taken up by sitting, whether at work or at home surfing the net, taking a stand quite literally changes your lifestyle. With modern-day technology, switching between sitting and standing at work only takes a push of a button.
Looking to buy a new standing desk in Singapore? We can help you out! Contact Okamura today to get in touch with our experts and we would be more than happy to help you pick out the right office desk in Singapore for you.
