4 Myths About Standing Desks Busted!

As scientific understanding of the human body has continued to grow, many surprising facts have been unearthed. One fact, in particular, has been shaking up the world of office work and that is the health consequences of long periods of sitting.

Of course, no one thought sitting for 8 hours a day was getting office workers ready for the Olympics but most people wouldn’t have anticipated that sitting would be dubbed ‘the new smoking’! Surprising or not, the fact that remains that extended bouts of desk-bound labour significantly increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, various forms of cancer, and many other health issues.

A simple solution

Standing desks have come onto the market to solve this problem but their widespread adoption has been held back by some persistent myths. We’ll guide you through the smoke and mirrors to put your mind at ease about investing in this life and productivity enhancing technology.

Myth 1: standing desks encourage standing all-day

Standing all day actually isn’t the rationale behind stand up desks. In fact, extended periods of standing can cause problems for the lower back, legs, and feet. The healthy way to use a standing desk is to alternate sitting, standing, stretching, and breaks. According to Dr James Irvine, a healthy work day should cycle through 20 minutes of sitting, followed by eight minutes of standing, then two minutes of stretching and moving – ideally with short breaks every 30-60 minutes.

Myth 2: all that standing will increase employee fatigue

Sometimes our intuitions simply don’t match with biological reality – because sitting is easier than standing, it seems like standing will be more tiring and sap workers’ energy. But standing intermittently – especially combined with active breaks and stretching – will actually increase energy, concentration, and productivity. Think about it – what makes you feel more energised, sitting in front of the TV for hours or going for a brisk walk?

Myth 3: standing desks are too expensive

It’s true that standing and adjustable desks cost more than standard desks. But does that mean they are too expensive? Definitely not! For one thing, they are a superior product. Better products always cost more because you are paying for quality and additional features. Here are three more reasons why the cost of stand up desks shouldn’t turn you off:

• The health and wellbeing of employees is important and better health will also reduce sick days and increase productivity
• A more productive workforce will, in turn, boost your business long-term and help you balance your initial investment
• Out models are capable of being used as a site to stand in most situations.

Myth 4: standing won’t help me get more movement

It’s true that simply standing still is not all that much better than sitting, but standing naturally encourages movement. Some things will come naturally, like shifting your weight or swaying to the music in your headphones. Standing will also make it easier to incorporate movement into your day. Sitting slumped in a chair and getting up and going for a brief work can feel like more of an effort. But if you’ve been shifting between sitting, standing, and stretching all day, it will seem much easier.

Invest in your team’s health today

Elevar provides a fantastic range of adjustable stand-up desks for the businesses throughout Australia including Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Cairns, Adelaide etc. Get in touch today and join the standing revolution.