Do Standing Desks Help?

Do Standing Desks Help?

      Ryan Fogel    Filed under: Workplace Injury Reduction

Many office workers understand the risks involved in sitting for prolonged periods of time. After all, a sedentary lifestyle is linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and more. It’s why many workers are turning to standing desks to help. But do these desks work? Read on to learn more:

Yes, but standing desks won’t solve everything

For desk workers, standing desks can work. They offer a chance to get up and add extra movement without having to leave your desk. But don’t expect them to solve everything. Standing for a few hours is certainly better than sitting, but you still need to walk around and stay active in order to achieve a truly healthy lifestyle. Additionally, a standing desk is only helpful when you’re standing. You still need proper support during the hours that you’re sitting.

So, what else can you do?

After you install your standing desk, there is still plenty you can do to promote a healthy, active lifestyle. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Get your steps in

A standing desk keeps you rooted to one place, but it’s still important to move around and stay active. You can have a dedicated workout routine, or you can try to get in more steps throughout the day. If you choose the latter, start small by increasing your daily step count by 500 and working your way up from there. If you’re struggling to find ways to increase your step count, then it’s time to think outside the box. Park further away from your office, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or use your lunch break to walk around outside. Every little bit will count.

Stretch

Standing desks are a great way to combat lower back pain. However, you don’t have to stop there. If you find a standing desk isn’t enough, you can incorporate these desk stretches to strengthen your muscles and ligaments.

Use ergonomic equipment

You likely won’t be using your standing desk all the time. There will be moments throughout the day where you need to sit down and relax. When you do so, make sure your body is well-supported by using ergonomic equipment. Not sure where to start? Then get an ergonomic evaluation to find the best equipment for your needs.

Accredited Rehabilitation Consultants can perform an ergonomic evaluation for anyone in the Los Angeles area. Contact us today to learn more!