How a Simple Desk Change Can Improve Your Health and Productivity

Techstark
ILLUMINATION
Published in
4 min readNov 9, 2023
By Pixabay

If you’re like most people, you probably spend a lot of time sitting at your desk, whether you work from home or in an office. But did you know that sitting for long periods of time can have negative effects on your health and well-being? It’s a very serious problem and incredibly harmful.

According to Harvard Health, sitting too much can increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature death. It can also cause muscle stiffness, back pain, and poor posture.

That’s why more and more people are switching to motorized standing desks, which allow you to adjust the height of your desk with the push of a button. A motorized standing desk, also known as an electric sit-stand desk or an adjustable electric desk, can help you improve your health and productivity in several ways.

How a Motorized Standing Desk Can Save Your Life (And Your Back)?

By freepik.com

Here are some of the benefits of using a motorized standing desk over the traditional desk, based on scientific research and expert opinions:

Burn more calories

Standing burns more calories than sitting, which can help you prevent weight gain and obesity. A study by the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that standing for three hours after lunch burned 24 more calories than sitting for the same amount of time.

Lower blood sugar levels

Standing after a meal can help your blood sugar levels return to normal faster, which can reduce your risk of diabetes. A study by the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that alternating between standing and sitting every 30 minutes throughout the workday reduced blood sugar spikes by 11.1% on average.

Reduce back pain

Standing can help you avoid the strain and pressure that sitting puts on your spine, which can cause back pain and discomfort. A study by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that using a sit-stand desk for four weeks reduced lower back pain by 50% among office workers.

Improve posture

Standing can help you maintain a natural and upright posture, which can prevent neck and shoulder pain and enhance your appearance. A study by the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics found that using a sit-stand desk improved the posture and comfort of computer users.

Boost mood and energy

Standing can help you feel more alert, energetic, and positive, which can improve your mood and mental health. A study by the BMJ found that using a sit-stand desk for seven weeks reduced fatigue, stress, and depression among office workers.

I personally use a motorized standing desk, and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s budget-friendly and has thousands of rave reviews on Amazon.

Click here to buy it now from amazon and start improving your health and productivity at work!

How to Use a Motorized Standing Desk?

If you’re interested in getting a motorized standing desk, here are some tips on how to use one:

Set up your desk properly

Place your desk in a comfortable and ergonomic position, with enough space and lighting. Adjust the height of your desk so that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle, your wrists are straight, and your eyes are level with the top of your screen. You can use this guide to set up your desk correctly.

Alternate between sitting and standing

Don’t stand for too long, as it can cause fatigue and leg pain. Aim to switch between sitting and standing every 30 to 60 minutes, or whenever you feel the need. You can use some desktop apps to remind you to change your posture.

Wear comfortable shoes

Avoid wearing high heels, tight shoes, or bare feet when standing, as they can cause foot pain and injury. Wear comfortable shoes that support your arches and cushion your heels. You can also use a mat or a footrest to reduce the pressure on your feet.

Move and stretch

Don’t stand still, as it can cause blood pooling and varicose veins. Move your feet, legs, and hips occasionally, and take breaks to walk around and stretch. You can do [these exercises] to improve your circulation and flexibility.

A motorized standing desk can be a great investment for your health and productivity. It can help you burn more calories, lower your blood sugar levels, reduce your back pain, improve your posture, and boost your mood and energy.

However, to get the most out of your motorized standing desk, you need to choose a quality desk, set it up properly, alternate between sitting and standing, wear comfortable shoes, and move and stretch regularly.

You’ll be amazed by how much better you’ll feel and work with a motorized standing desk.

Here are the links to my research:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-truth-behind-standing-desks-2016092310264
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24297826/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27625341/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26861391/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169814116300069
https://www.bmj.com/content/363/bmj.k3870
https://www.healthline.com/health/deskercise#upper-body

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Techstark
ILLUMINATION

Software Engineer, living in Germany. Passionate about technology but also love to write about life, travel and health.