The Benefit of using a Standing Desk

Introduction

Sitting is the new smoking. Or at least, that’s what we’ve been hearing for years. And while that statement might be a bit hyperbolic, there’s certainly truth to it. Now that we’re spending more and more time in a seated position, breaking up that pattern of sitting down is more important than ever. That explains the recent popularity surge of sitting/standing desks. But are they worth it? In this article, we’ll go over the benefits that sit/stand desks offer so that you can make an informed decision on your next purchase.

In this article, we sometimes mention ‘standing desks’. When we speak about standing desks, we mean desks that can be configured as a standing desk, which includes sit/stand desks.

Burns (Slightly) More Calories

Let’s get this out of the way first: standing all day won’t replace your workouts. It can, however, give your metabolism a subtle nudge. That’s because standing burns more calories than sitting down.

Over the course of an hour, you burn (on average) around 11.5% more calories if you’re standing up than you would’ve if you were sitting down. If you don’t stand all the time and alternate between sitting and standing over the course of your day, you can burn (on average) around 50-60kcal more that day.

Obviously, those are not mind-bending numbers, so getting a standing desk shouldn’t be a reason to cancel your gym membership. It is a nice extra bonus though.

Reduces Stress and Fatigue

Reducing your sitting time by 1 hour each day can lead to drastic improvements for your overall health and wellbeing. According to smarkworkandlife, who bundled a bunch of studies in order to come up with their program, cutting down on your sitting time by one hour can make you feel less fatigued and stressed at the end of your day.

Alternating between sitting and standing encourages your brain to stay alert and awake, and prevents your body and mind from slumping into that hazy state of numbness that you get after sitting down for hours.

Reduces Back and Neck Pain

This is perhaps one of the biggest advantages of getting a standing desk. It’s no secret that sitting down for longer periods of time wreaks havoc on your spine and your body. As such, it’s critically important that you switch it up every now and again.

Dr. Erik K. Holder, a Yale Medicine physician who specializes in the nonsurgical care of patients with musculoskeletal issues, even actively recommends sit/stand desks as a ‘great option to decrease your sit time’.

Standing up every once in a while when you’re working offers numerous benefits. For one, it promotes neutral posture. Standing up encourages your body to be more naturally aligned, and reduces the likelihood of slumping or having bad posture. Furthermore, standing up keeps your body active, which improves circulation and reduces muscle tension.

There’s tons of studies out there that prove that sitting all day is bad for you. Staying active throughout the day (i.e. switching from sitting to standing and vice versa) offers a vast array of benefits for your overall health, so it’s well worth getting a standing desk for that reason alone.

Improves Focus and Productivity

Studies show that using a sit/stand desk can improve your focus and productivity. Moving your body and staying active improves your blood flow and helps keep your body alert and ‘awake’.

Furthermore, the ‘change of scenery’ when going from sitting to standing (and vice versa) means that you’re not settling down into the same position all day. This also helps with keeping things fresh for your mind and body, which leads to increased awareness and productivity.

Finally, it can also be nice to swap to different configurations depending on the task that you’re doing. Many people find that taking (work) calls while standing feels a lot more engaged and active, for example.

Improves Posture

Being able to stand up regularly while working can improve your posture. Sitting down puts a lot of stress on your spine, and if you don’t regularly make changes to your position, you can start slouching. We all know the cliche of a hunched-over office worker who seems to be permanently stuck in the ‘staring at my PC’ position. Standing up can help alleviate this issue. Furthermore, standing up naturally encourages good posture, which can help you stay in tune with how you should be sitting.

Another benefit of getting an adjustable desk lies in the fact that you can set its height so that it’s just right for you. You could have the most well-built desk in the world, but if it’s too high or too low for you, it’ll be a nightmare for your posture and bodily health. Being able to set your desk at the exact height that you need will make a massive difference.

Standing Desks for Gaming – A Good Idea?

If you’re asking us if it’s a good idea to be standing while gaming, the answer is ‘probably not’. If you’re playing a competitive game, you’ll want to be as consistent and accurate as possible. Factors like body sway and overall stability can mess with your aim if you’re standing up. So no, we don’t recommend standing up for a full competitive match.

But that’s the beauty of these adjustable desks: you can sit down (with your desk at the perfect height) when you’re grinding ranked, and stand up when you’re taking a break or you’re doing some editing or other work. The switch between sitting and standing is what makes these desks so alluring, and being able to get your desk at any height you want is a massive advantage for anyone who spends more than two hours behind their desk each day.

Conclusion

There is absolutely no question about it: sitting/standing desks are an amazing addition to any setup. The benefits that you get from standing up occasionally are well-documented and undeniable, so if you’re looking to invest in your work and/or gaming space, this is one of the best ways you can spend your money.

With that said: these desks aren’t magic. You’ll still need to actively adopt proper posture, you’ll still need a chair that supports you properly (whether that’s an office chair or a gaming chair doesn’t really matter), and you’ll still need to work out and take care of yourself outside of your desk hours.

But if you spend a lot of time at your desk and you’re looking to make a meaningful upgrade to your overall health and wellbeing, a standing desk is one of the best investments you can make.