benefits of standing desks

Benefits of Standing Desks: Health, Psychological, Education, and More!

Partnership EFFYDESK

The benefits of standing desk options extend far beyond simply getting you out of your chair. Picture yourself energized at 3 PM instead of fighting the afternoon slump. Imagine feeling stronger and more focused throughout your workday, rather than dealing with stiffness and brain fog from prolonged sitting.

Traditional desk setups have created a sedentary lifestyle crisis in workplaces across Canada. Most office workers spend roughly 69% of their day sitting, which research consistently links to numerous health problems, including weight gain and heart disease. Sit-stand desks offer an effective solution by allowing you to alternate between sitting and standing positions throughout your day.

At EFFYDESK, we've helped thousands of Canadians transform their work experience through quality ergonomic solutions. Our customers frequently report improvements in everything from posture to task performance. Let's look at the ways height-adjustable desks can enhance your well-being and work routine.

Standing Desk Benefits in Health

Health Benefits of Standing Desks

Standing desks deliver impressive health benefits that positively impact your body from head to toe.

Weight Management and Obesity Prevention

Standing burns more calories by approximately 0.15 kilocalories per minute compared to sitting. This translates to about 9 extra calories burned per hour when standing.

Standing also activates your metabolism through non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), the energy your body uses for everything besides sleeping, eating, and physical activity.

By incorporating more standing time into your day with an Electric Adjustable Standing Office Desk, you naturally boost your NEAT levels, making weight maintenance easier.

Posture and Musculoskeletal Health

A study found that neck (53.5%), lower back (53.2%), and shoulder (51.6%) symptoms were the most prevalent problems among office workers, with long sitting times and poor posture associated with these musculoskeletal disorders.

Extended periods of sitting place significant strain on the spine, contributing to poor posture and discomfort.

In this case, alternating between sitting and standing helps promote better spinal alignment and reduce pressure on the lower back. 

Using sit-stand desks or regularly changing positions throughout the day can support spinal health and alleviate some of the negative effects associated with prolonged sitting.

Using a standing desk correctly encourages proper posture by:

  • Aligning your neck with your spine

  • Relaxing your shoulders

  • Engaging your core muscles

  • Distributing weight evenly on both feet

Over time, these posture improvements can significantly alleviate discomfort and prevent common musculoskeletal issues.

Now, if you're still dealing with persistent pain when sitting down, our guide on how to fix bad sitting posture offers additional solutions. Of course, you can also check out our ergonomic chairs to help improve your comfort and reduce pain, if not eliminate it!

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health

Research from a major health journal looked at information from over 83,000 people and found that sitting too long can increase heart problems.

This means one thing: Simply standing more isn't enough on its own.

What really helps is mixing sitting and standing with short walks or gentle activity throughout your day.

At the same time, standing up while working may not be enough. You can also perform the best stretches recommended for office workers to loosen any stiff areas in your body and get rid of discomfort.

This combination improves how blood flows through your body and keeps your heart healthier. By changing positions regularly, you can lower your risk of heart issues and keep your circulation strong.

Another group of studies shows that using standing desks can help your cholesterol levels and other heart health markers over time. In particular, sit-stand desks slightly lowered both total cholesterol and LDL (the less healthy type) sooner than later. At the same time, standing or moving around after eating helps control blood sugar better than sitting still, which helps your body use insulin better and may lower your chance of heart problems.

Finally, sitting too long can raise your risk of blood clots in your legs, also called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is because blood moves more slowly in your legs when you sit for hours, which can lead to clots.

Research in Thrombosis Journal found that people who sit for long periods at computers are almost three times more likely to get these dangerous clots compared to those who sit less (Healy et al., 2010). Worse, you could increase the chances of developing these clots if you sit with your legs in a tight position.

All the more reason for you to stand up or take short breaks to move around helps your blood flow better, right?

Reduction in Sedentary Behavior

Perhaps the most significant benefit of standing desks is how they naturally combat sedentary behavior. 

Doctors now see sitting for too long as harmful to your health. A key study in 1953 looked at London bus workers and found something important: the conductors who stood and walked around all day had much healthier hearts than the drivers who sat behind the wheel.

Obviously, bus drivers don't and can't use standing desks (duh). But this early research should help you understand that moving throughout the day is good for your heart, while sitting too much can lead to health problems.

Standing desks encourage regular movement throughout the day by:

  • Making it easier to shift between sitting and standing

  • Reducing the psychological barrier to taking regular breaks

  • Creating opportunities for stretching and short periods of activity

  • Establishing healthier work habits for those with a desk job

Even two to three hours of time standing during your workday yields meaningful health benefits. The key is consistent use and gradually building your standing tolerance rather than trying to stand for the entire day.

For more guidance, check out our article on how to use a standing desk properly.

Psychological and Cognitive Benefits of Height-Adjustable Desks

Psychological and Cognitive Benefits of Standing Desks

The advantages of standing desks go beyond physical health to enhance your mental state and work output.

Mood and Energy Boost

Many people report higher energy levels when using standing desks regularly. The physical act of standing promotes blood circulation and helps combat the afternoon fatigue that office workers often experience.

A 2021 study found that workers using sit-stand desks sat less and felt more energetic and engaged with their work after just four weeks. Another study showed that adjustable desks cut sitting time by 17% after three months.

In both, users experienced less pain in their necks and shoulders, which helped them feel more comfortable and less tired.

So, by integrating a TerraDesk or another standing option into your workspace, you're investing in your daily mental well-being.

Focus and Productivity

It's one thing to be healthier and more energetic using standing desks. But can it actually make a positive impact on one's productivity and cognitive skills?

A study by Texas A&M seems to agree. It looked at workers in a call center and found something interesting: people with desks that let them stand finished 46% more successful calls each hour compared to those using regular sitting desks.

As you can see, the gentle physical engagement required to maintain standing posture appears to keep the brain more alert and ready for complex cognitive tasks.

Many users report that standing is particularly beneficial for:

  • Creative problem-solving tasks

  • Conference calls and virtual meetings

  • Reading and information processing

  • Brief, focused work sessions

However, standing up all the time that you're working could produce disastrous results, according to a study from Curtin University in Australia.

When people stood for two hours without breaks, they felt 47% more uncomfortable and their thinking slowed down.

This tells us that standing all day isn't the answer. The best approach is to switch between sitting and standing throughout your day.

For optimal cognitive benefits, try alternating between 30-45 minutes of standing followed by 15-20 minutes of sitting, rather than attempting to stand for extended periods.

You can enhance your focus further with techniques from our article on how to beat procrastination with the Pomodoro Technique.

For additional ways to stay productive, our guide on 7 ways to boost productivity at home offers complementary strategies.

Educational and Collaborative Standing Desk Benefits

Standing desks are reshaping environments beyond the traditional office, offering unique advantages for learning and teamwork.

Dynamic Learning Environments

Standing desks in schools can help students think better, pay more attention, and get more involved in class.

A UWM study that watched 100 elementary students for a full year found that standing desks helped kids move more and focus better

These findings suggest that the benefits of standing while working start early. By adding movement to learning time, standing desks might help students stay more alert and ready to learn. 

Most importantly, standing desks also become a valuable consideration, creating effective learning environments that support physical health and academic achievement.

Adaptability for Various Activities

Another benefit of today's standing desks that people often miss is how they adjust to different types of work. Height-adjustable desks let you work comfortably in many ways, helping you stay active all day.

For team projects, standing makes it easier to move around and talk with others. This creates more lively team discussions. Many offices now use tall tables for meetings to keep them shorter and more focused.

Some creative setups even add treadmills to standing desks, so you can walk while you work during parts of your day. This adds even more movement to your routine.

Research backs this up, showing that standing desks help reduce sitting time and can improve how people stay on task, stay alert, and engage with their work, whether it's in the academe or not.

Practical and Ergonomic Advantages of Sit-Stand Desks

Beyond health and productivity, standing desks offer practical benefits that enhance your overall work experience.

Ergonomic Design

Modern standing desks are engineered with ergonomics as a primary consideration. The best designs offer:

  • Memory presets for perfect height adjustments (but make sure to know the ideal desk height for you)

  • Smooth, quiet motors for seamless transitions

  • Sturdy construction to eliminate wobbling during use

  • Cable management solutions for clean workspaces

These ergonomic features ensure that you can work in comfort whether sitting or standing. When paired with other ergonomic accessories like monitor arms and anti-fatigue mats, standing desks create a comprehensive solution for workplace comfort.

For those concerned about varicose veins or other issues that might be affected by standing, modern ergonomic designs allow for the perfect balance of sitting and standing time, minimizing negative effects of either extreme.

Space and Design Considerations

Today's standing desks come in various configurations to suit different spaces and aesthetic preferences. From compact models for small apartments to expansive L-shaped designs for those needing maximum workspace, there's a standing desk solution for virtually any environment.

Many standing desks, like those in the EFFYDESK collection, feature clean, contemporary designs that enhance rather than detract from your home or office décor. With options ranging from natural wood finishes to sleek modern materials, these desks complement your existing design while adding functional benefits.

For design inspiration, explore our article on 5 inspirational decor ideas for your home office.

The investment in a quality standing desk pays dividends not just in health outcomes but in creating a workspace you genuinely enjoy using day after day. For keeping your workspace organized, check out our 12 creative desk organization ideas to maximize efficiency.

Benefits of Standing Desks FAQs

What is the 20/8-2 rule?

The 20/8-2 rule suggests alternating between sitting, standing, and movement. Spend 20 minutes sitting, 8 minutes standing, and 2 minutes moving. This cycle helps reduce strain and improve circulation.

How many hours a day should you use a standing desk?

Use a standing desk for 4 to 6 hours daily. Alternate between sitting and standing every 30 to 60 minutes to prevent fatigue and maintain good posture.

What are the disadvantages of a standing desk?

Standing desks may cause leg fatigue, back pain, and varicose veins if used improperly. Prolonged standing can also reduce focus and productivity.

Is a standing desk bad for posture?

A standing desk is not bad for posture if used correctly. Poor posture, such as leaning or slouching, can lead to back and neck strain. Proper desk height and footwear help maintain good posture.

How to use a standing desk correctly?

Adjust the desk to elbow height, keep the screen at eye level, and use an anti-fatigue mat. Shift positions every 30 to 60 minutes and wear supportive shoes to reduce strain.

Enjoy the Benefits of Standing Desks with EFFYDESK

As research continues to highlight the dangers of prolonged sitting, investing in a quality standing desk represents a proactive step toward protecting your long-term health and enhancing your daily work experience.

The benefits of standing desks represent a promising approach to transforming sedentary work habits into healthier, more productive routines. Whether burning extra calories, improving cardiovascular health, or enhancing mood and focus, these versatile workstations address multiple dimensions of well-being.

For Canadians looking to transform their workspace with our collection of height-adjustable desk solutions, EFFYDESK offers a range of ergonomic options designed to support your health and productivity goals. 

Explore our collection today and discover how the right desk can make all the difference in how you work and feel.

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