People don’t typically think of office jobs as particularly hazardous to your health, but in reality they can be. The average American office worker spends about 10 hours a day in the seated position. Why is this harmful? Research in recent years has shown that sitting too much is linked to a variety of health issues including obesity, diabetes, increased blood pressure and even an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

The facts can be scary, but the good news is that people are beginning to combat too much sitting in new and innovative ways. One tool that’s recently taken off is the sit to stand desk, which allows office workers to get on their feet while still being productive. Here are 10 great reasons why a sit to stand desk will change the way you work for the better.

1) They allow for flexibility

A typical work desk doesn’t have many (if any) settings that you can adjust to suit your needs. Sure, you can raise your chair up or down, but this will only get you so far. By using a sit to stand desk, you can easily adjust the height of the desk as needed. This allows for a healthy mix of sitting and standing throughout the workday. 

2) You’ll feel better

It can be hard for people to focus on work if they’ve got shooting back pains or numb legs. Even just shifting around trying to get comfortable can distract from the task at hand. According to a Take-A-Stand project study, after just a one hour increase in standing time, 50% of participants reported a reduction in back, shoulder and neck pain and 38% said they felt less fatigued.

3) You have control

Having the freedom to choose whether you sit or stand while working, and when, has psychological benefits. When workers have the freedom to chose and are in control of their space, they see an improvement in mental health at work. 

4) Your health may improve

This is the whole reason that sit to stand desks have risen in popularity recently. From burning a few more calories than sitting to lower blood sugar levels, there are a lot of potential health benefits. Over time, these accumulate and can affect your overall health. For instance, those who sit less over the course of years and years might find themselves at lower risk for heart disease, cancer and even early death.

5) It can be a mood booster 

Employees who are happy and less stressed are better workers. Previous studies have shown that there might be a correlation between the amount of time spent being sedentary and risk for depression or anxiety. That’s not to say that a sit to stand desk is the answer for mental health problems, but it can boost your overall mood and well-being.

6) Maintain better energy levels

It might seem counterintuitive, but sitting all day can actually be really tiring. When you break that up with movement such as standing or walking, you tend to feel more energized. In fact, the Take-A-Stand Project learned that 87% of people felt more energized at the end of a month long trial period with sit to stand desks.

7) It’s good for your brain

A recent study showed that prolonged sedentary behavior can actually lead to the thinning of brain structures used in memory formation in middle-aged and older adults. While behavior like sitting too much might not be detrimental in the same way for younger adults, it’s certainly not helpful. Mind and body are connected, so do your brain a favor by treating your body the right way.

8) Increase productivity

When people first switch over to a sit to stand desk, they can be concerned about a drop off in productivity. While it can take some time to get used to typing or completing other work while standing, these desks have been shown to have no negative impact on daily productivity. In fact, the opposite is true. This makes sense that employees who are healthier, happier, more energized and experiencing less pain and discomfort would naturally be more productive.

While many might have written off the sit to stand desk as a fad when it first gained popularity, time has shown that they have real benefits and are here to stay. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of other ergonomic products, viewing actual sit to stand desks or ordering a sit to stand desk for your office, don’t hesitate to contact us today. At Iron Age Office, we’re happy to help you incorporate quality and custom products into your workspace.