Sitting is the new smoking. The meaning behind the phrase is that by sitting for prolonged periods, it decreases your life expectancy due to the increased health risks of a sedentary lifestyle. With each hour of sitting, studies show it can reduce your life expectancy by 22 minutes. Does your desk job require you to sit for long periods? What can you do to help this problem? Stop sitting and start using a standing desk to help your health.
Getting a standing desk is no longer just a passing new fad. It is easier and cheaper than ever to raise your computer and stand at your desk. A published article in the International Journal of Epidemiology made the plea that sitting causes a lack of movement that does the body harm. Sitting for long periods leads to inactivity which creates an increased risk of health problems, namely increased cardiovascular disease, weight gain, diabetes, cancer, and ultimately a quicker death.
The whole idea behind getting a standing desk is to allow for a different position than sitting all day. It allows you to be able to get up, improve your posture, be able to breath deeper and easier, get pressure off your low back, and get some much-needed movement in your body.
Before you go out and spend your money, though, there are some individuals who may not benefit from a standing desk. If you have a chronic foot or leg issue that is aggravated by standing, then a standing desk may not be beneficial. In that case, you will want to just make sure to follow my 30/30 rule. Get up from your desk at least every 30 minutes for at least 30 seconds. Hopefully you will be up on your feet a little longer, but at least that’s a start.
Here are a few tips to help you if you are thinking about a standing desk:
Don’t stand all day. If you go from sitting all day to standing all day that is just as bad. The best scenario is to alternate between sitting and standing while working.
Never stay in one spot for than 30 minutes. No matter if you are sitting or standing, you need to move. The whole point behind the “sitting is the new smoking” catch phrase is that people are just too sedentary. Our bodies crave movement. Every part of our bodies needs movement. Our muscles, joints, blood flow, oxygen levels, lungs, etc. all need movement to really thrive. You sit still or stand still for too long and your body will begin to shut down. You do this day in and day out and your body will begin to fail.
Determine your needs before you buy a standing desk. If you only require the computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse to do your job, then you can buy a platform that sits on your current desk that easily raises and lowers with just a simple lever. If you need your entire workspace, then you will want to opt for a new desk where the entire desk raises and lowers. This has more benefits but also comes with a higher price tag.
Shop around for the desk that meets your needs and your budget. In the early days of standing desks, they were limited by manufacturers, styles, and features. They were also pretty pricey. Nowadays there many options from many different retailers.
When it comes to getting a standing desk, don’t miss the point. You need to be able to change your positions and get some movement in your day while you work. Sitting or standing in one spot for long periods is not great for you. Whether you are standing or sitting at your desk, remember to take your 30 second (or more) breaks and move. Remember to walk and stretch. If it helps, set a timer on your phone or your computer to remind you. Just keep in mind, regardless if you decide to get a desk that raises, be sure to alternate your time on your feet and on your seat!
-by Dr. Brandon Crouch
About the author: Dr. Brandon Crouch is a Chiropractor with Crouch Family Chiropractic. Dr. Crouch is an advocate for being proactive when it comes to your health and encourages people to make healthy informed decisions. For more information or questions you can contact him online at: www.crouchfamilychiro.com or find him on facebook at: www.facebook.com/CrouchFamilyChiropractic.
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