Working while standing - really as good as everyone says?

There are many diseases that are promoted or even arise from sitting for too long. For example, the body burns fewer calories, which increases the risk of diabetes and obesity. For this reason, standing desks and standing stools have now been introduced in many companies to keep employees fit. But is standing really the right solution when it comes to workplace health? We have researched for you!

Why is sitting for a long time so dangerous?

In Germany, people sit an average of 7.5 hours a day, which is made up of private and professional parts. Almost 47 percent of employees in Germany carry out their work while sitting down, in some age groups even almost 60 percent. In many companies, bad, old office chairs also lead to a further deterioration in the health status of employees. But what exactly are the consequences of long periods of sitting for the body?

When you sit, your circulation slows down. The body does not have to work, and so the calorie consumption is also significantly lower. If the food intake remains the same, the risk of obesity and diabetes increases. The risk of heart attacks also increases with every hour that a person sits at a stretch.

Your muscles also suffer from sitting for long periods of time. This is not required during the entire working day and thus becomes weaker and possibly even recedes. You can counteract this with exercise, but many people stop doing it after a hard day in the office. In addition, even exercising three times a week cannot compensate for the long periods of inactivity that everyday office life entails. Incorrect or relieving posture can also lead to muscles cramping or shortening.

In addition to the physical consequences, the psychological effects are also a great danger: if you sit for more than 42 hours a week, the risk of mental illness increases by almost 30 percent. A lack of exercise and spending too much time in the office also means that you are increasingly in a bad mood, unmotivated and listless. It has been proven that active breaks and exercise in everyday life can counteract this stress.

There are a variety of ways to integrate movement into the dreary everyday office life. Active breaks like going for a walk are not always possible, so ergonomic office furniture and standing desks can be a good alternative. For example, a sitting and standing stool from desqup encourages the body through small micro-movements, even when sitting for a long time.

Advantages of standing work

Working at a height-adjustable desk has been studied by many independent scientists and physicians in recent years. It offers many advantages, especially in the long term, that you would not suspect at first glance:

• Standing upright is the natural basic human posture. They relieve your back and prevent back pain
• The lungs are no longer compressed when standing. This way you can breathe in more oxygen and generally feel fitter and more awake
• Almost no calories are burned while sitting. When you do your work standing, more calories are burned without really noticeable exertion. This is a noticeable difference, especially with long 40-hour weeks
• The range of motion is much greater when standing and you feel less sluggish. Instead of using the phone, you might just go to your colleague's office to discuss something
• In video conferences and phone calls you appear much more confident and dynamic. Experienced colleagues or business partners notice immediately when someone is at a standing desk
• Circulation is better promoted when standing. Not only do you feel fitter and your mood is better, but your brain is also supplied with more blood and you are more productive and motivated
• Your joints are in a natural position when you're standing and don't flex all day like they do with your knees when you're sitting, for example. Thus, these are relieved and wear out significantly less

In a long-term study, US researchers even found that working at a standing desk contributes to weight loss. A person who weighs 140 pounds will lose 10 pounds in four years if they stand 6.5 hours a day instead of sitting. This is because the body burns 0.15 more calories per minute when standing.

These are just a few of the benefits of standing work. Especially the long-term consequences for your body and your performance are immense. Standing desks are now a real must-have, especially in office jobs. Many tables can even be retrofitted with an electrically adjustable frame, many employers pay for this conversion for the benefit of their employees.

A high-quality, height-adjustable desk from DESQUP is available from 449 euros. It can be set up without specialist knowledge, and the table also has many practical functions such as obstacle detection or child safety.

Are there any disadvantages to working at a standing desk?

Here one can say in general: no, there is not - at least not proven. Of course, there are exceptions here as well, because with certain illnesses and injuries it can make sense to do your job while sitting.

Another important point is how you stand at your height-adjustable desk. You should always make sure that your back is not bent or hunched. Leg position is also crucial, you should not bend your knees and lean on the table. With the right setting, however, the height-adjustable desk is in no way a risk to your health.

What should you consider with a height-adjustable desk?

Height-adjustable desks are available from a wide variety of suppliers today. From very cheap frames under 100 euros to complete tables for 1500 euros, there is something in every price range. However, there are a few points that should be considered with a height-adjustable desk in order to ensure a pleasant working day.

The table should be a complete set of frame and table top, so you don't have to worry about finding a matching top. Also important is a memory function that can save a preset height. The obstacle detection ensures that your table does not damage anything through carelessness. The child lock also fulfills this purpose, because with it smaller children cannot accidentally change the table. A water-repellent and insensitive surface allows easy wiping with a damp cloth.

A height-adjustable desk from desqup fulfills all of these characteristics. Our models are available in different sizes, colors and designs, so that they fit perfectly into every room. Optionally, you can also opt for an ergonomic sitting and standing stool , which makes everyday work even more pleasant. Feel free to visit us!