Adjustable (sit-stand) desks are highly beneficial in terms of improving mood, productivity and the condition of your body.
In fact, sitting for long periods can be detrimental to your overall health, and even shorten your life expectancy.
Below are just a few reasons why you should convince your employer to buy you an adjustable desk.
1. They improve posture and reduce eyestrain
Good posture is important, as it reduces stress on the ligaments that hold the joints of the spine together, and prevents fatigue as your muscles are used more efficiently.
To improve your posture and reduce eye fatigue, it’s important to adjust your desk correctly.
Your monitor should be just above eye level, so that you not only avoid straining your eyes, but also avoid bending over.
Standing will increase the strength of your abdominal muscles, leading to better posture.
2. They can reduce the risk of obesity
While the best way to lose weight is to exercise, standing also helps promote weight loss!
According to the Mayo Clinic, standing for an additional 6 hours a day instead of sitting burns 54 calories for an adult weighing 143 pounds.
Adjustable desks promote movement, which is linked to weight loss and obesity prevention.
3. Can lower blood sugar levels
Adjustable desks lead to better posture and reduce the risk of weight gain, but they also help lower blood sugar levels.
In fact, researchers found that when their subjects stood during their workday, their blood sugar levels dropped by an average of 5%.
4. They can reduce back and neck pain
The most common complaint from employees is that they suffer from back pain because they have to sit all day.
Sitting at a desk for a large number of hours each day causes the spine to form a damaging “C” shape, as the neck works too hard to look at the monitor.
Standing at work lengthens the spine and restores its “S” shape, reducing the risk of chronic back pain.
5. They may reduce the risk of heart disease
An adjustable desk can lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Standing helps raise good HDL cholesterol and lower bad LDL cholesterol levels.
In fact, every two hours spent sitting down each day is associated with increased weight, and higher levels of blood sugar and bad cholesterol.
An adjustable desk is therefore a good way to prevent the risk of heart disease.
6. They can increase life expectancy
Some research suggests that sedentary living can lead to diabetes and heart disease, but also that life expectancy can be reduced, as sitting for long periods is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which cause mortality.
Furthermore, life expectancy can be increased by two years by reducing the time spent sitting to just three hours.
7. They can boost energy and productivity
Standing up provides an energy boost, as it promotes blood flow and delivers more oxygen to the muscles.
This new burst of energy will eventually lead to increased productivity.
8. They improve mood
Choosing to stand rather than sit for long periods stimulates the release of endorphins, which improves mood and encourages creativity.
In fact, studies show that those who use an adjustable desk experience less anxiety and fatigue than those who don’t.
9. They reduce the risk of cancer
Sitting for long periods is associated with a greater risk of colon, breast and endometrial cancer.
The reason is unclear, but one theory suggests that excess insulin promotes cell growth.
TheAmerican Cancer Societywarns that sitting for more than 6 hours a day can significantly increase the risk of cancer.
10. They increase flexibility
Sitting for long periods each day reduces the range of movement for many muscle groups.
In fact, it tightens and limits hip movement.
Since lack of hip flexibility is one of the main reasons older people get injured, why not ensure your future safety by convincing your employer to buy you an adjustable desk?
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