The Truth About Standing Desks: Are They Stand-Up Heroes or Upright Villains?
Hello, my dear work-from-home warriors; it’s your favorite ergonomist on the internet, Micahel Jones, back with another potential game-changer for your home office life. Today, we’re tackling a topic that has stirred up as much debate as the last season of Game of Thrones: standing desks. (Don’t worry, no spoilers here, just evidence-based insights.)
If you’re like me, constantly hopping between Zoom meetings and spreadsheets, your back and neck might cry out for help. As a solution, many have stood up, literally, swearing at standing desks. But are they the messiah of office ergonomics? Let’s dig deeper to unearth the truth.
Pros of Standing Desks
1. They are the Avenger against Sedentary Behaviour
Numerous studies have found a strong correlation between prolonged sitting and health risks such as obesity, heart disease, and early mortality. Sitting can send you to your grave earlier than you’d like. Now that’s a scary thought. A study from the Mayo Clinic confirms that using a standing desk can reduce sedentary behavior (1).
2. Superb Spinal Care (Mostly)
Many remote workers suffering from neck and lower back pain have found relief by switching to standing desks. Changing your posture periodically can alleviate the strain on your back and neck, as found by Cornell University’s Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Group (2).
3. They Boost Productivity…like Coffee, but Without the Jitters
Believe it or not, standing desks can enhance your productivity. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, participants using standing desks reported improved engagement and productivity with their work (3).
Now, I know what you’re thinking — standing desks sound like the superheroes of home office furniture. But wait! Before you rush to add that deluxe model to your cart, remember that even superheroes have weaknesses.
Cons of Standing Desks
1. The Achilles Heel: Discomfort & Fatigue
Standing for prolonged periods can lead to discomfort and fatigue. You know, that feeling when you’ve been queuing at the DMV for hours? Yep, that’s the one. An extensive review in the journal Human Factors showed that prolonged standing can lead to swelling of the feet and lower limbs and increase discomfort (4).
2. They May Not Be the Best Weight Loss Companions
Standing does burn more calories than sitting, but only a little more. According to Mayo Clinic, the calorie-burning difference between sitting and standing is marginal, around 88 calories for a half-day of standing (1). So, if you’re hoping that your standing desk will make those cookies disappear from your waistline, you might be disappointed.
3. High Cost for a High Desk
Standing desks can put a considerable dent in your wallet, as they tend to be pricier than their seated counterparts. If you’re a budget-conscious remote worker, you might need to weigh this investment against other ergonomic options.
So, who stands to gain (pun fully intended) from a standing desk? Professionals with pre-existing lower back or neck pain can benefit significantly.
A well-adjusted standing desk can provide respite from the stress of sitting, especially for remote workers logging long hours at their computers. But remember, the keyword here is “well-adjusted.” A poorly set up standing desk can cause more harm than good.
In conclusion, standing desks have pros and cons like everything else in life. They can help combat sedentary behavior, alleviate back and neck pain, and improve productivity.
On the flip side, they can lead to fatigue, don’t significantly aid weight loss, and can be cost-prohibitive. It’s crucial to approach them as part of a holistic solution, combining their usage with regular breaks, exercises, and good old common sense.
Let me share a little secret — balance is the key to effectively using a standing desk. And no, I don’t mean the kind of balance you need to stay upright after that third glass of wine.
It’s about alternating between sitting and standing throughout your workday. You remember that phrase our moms loved, “Too much of anything is bad?” Well, it applies to standing too!
And remember, before making any major changes to your work setup or dealing with persistent pain, always consult a health professional. Don’t just take the word of a friendly, albeit experienced, internet ergonomist with a dash of wit!
So, dear readers, the jury’s verdict on standing desks isn’t absolute. They aren’t a magical cure-all but not merely overhyped furniture pieces. As with all things ergonomic, what matters most is how you use them.
Until next time, stand tall, sit comfortably, and don’t forget to stretch between those marathon meetings.
Signing off with a friendly reminder — your health is your wealth. Literally, considering the price tag of some standing desks!
References:
Levine, James A. “Standing desk: Will more standing at work improve your health?” Mayo Clinic, 2021. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005)
“Sitting and Standing at Work.” Cornell University Ergonomics Web, Cornell University. (http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/cuesitstand.html)
Mansoubi, M., Pearson, N., Biddle, S. J. H., & Clemes, S. (2016). “The relationship between sedentary behaviour and physical activity in adults: a systematic review.” Preventive Medicine, 89, 28–35. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.05.019)
Smith, M., Carayon, P., Sanders, K., Lim, S-Y., LeGrande, D., Hare, R., & Newbold, J. “Employee Perceptions of Sit-Stand Workstations.” In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 61st Annual Meeting (pp. 763–767). (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1541931213601333)
Are you ready to step up your Remote Workstation? Shoot me a message at painfreeme2017@gmail.com