A sedentary lifestyle has become the norm for a great deal of people mainly because of their jobs – office work is the main culprit for this. While this may not seem like a big deal at first glance, leading a sedentary lifestyle can lead to serious health issues. This can be anything from cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes and various types of cancer to mental health issues and issues concerning posture. Although doing daily exercises can help battle these issues having something that can help during your working hours is a more convenient solution.
Height Adjustable Desks
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A height adjustable standing desk, as the name implies, is one that can help you alternate between sitting and standing. This can lead to reduced back pain, better posture and increased productivity too. With a height adjustable desk you can also lower blood sugar levels and help fight the development of cardiovascular disorders. These desks are quite convenient as you can easily change positions whenever you want with just a click of a button or by cranking a lever.
Manual vs Electric
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Hand-crank (manual) height adjustable desks require more physical labour than electric desks. Electric adjustable desks are more convenient as you also have the option to save a predetermined height so you can let the desk do everything while you make your coffee. But if the desk is not connected to a power outlet or if there is a power outage, you wont be able to change its height.
How to Adjust a Standing Desk
A height adjustable standing desk has to be set at a height that will allow you to have a correct posture. This means you need to set the desk at a height where you’ll be able to have your elbows at a 90° angle. Your wrists should not go up or down when typing on your keyboard.
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The neck should be in a neutral position and you shouldn’t use your wrists when typing, have them relaxed and straight instead. Your shoulders should be relaxed and knees slightly bent without having them hyper extended or your joints locked. Your monitor should be high enough so that the top of it meets your eyes.
Standing Desks
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A regular standing desk can also make you more productive, lower the risk of heart diseases, reduce back pain and help improve your mood too but they are not as versatile. Constantly standing in one position may not be as harmful as sitting, but if done for long enough it can cause back and knees pain and it can make you slouch.
Does Standing Desk Help Posture?
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A standing desk can help improve your posture since it takes pressure off the neck and lower back. However, you cannot correct more serious issues such as a bulging disc or scoliosis. When it comes to improving your posture, the only way a standing desk can help you is if you position both the desk and your peripherals correctly. This is where height adjustable desks excel.
Should You Use a Standing Desk All Day?
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While a standing desk is definitely a better option than your typical sedentary work desk, it is still not recommended that you stay in the same position during the day. Much like sitting, standing for hours on end can be bad for you since you are still leading an inactive lifestyle. This is why height adjustable desks are more recommended – you get to change your working position form time to time.
Additional Tips on Staying Healthy with a Sedentary Job
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Walk More
Since your day job affects your lifestyle too, it’s important to move more throughout the day not just while you’re working. If you are taking the elevator to your floor, replace that habit by taking the stairs. If you use public transport to get to and back from work, you can try getting off a stop or two further from your workplace and walk the rest of the way.
Stretch
If you feel like you can’t get anything accomplished or if you are experiencing creative block, get up from your chair and stretch. This can reduce the stress and tension on your muscles and improve blood flow. Taking a walk can also help clear your thoughts and come up with new ideas.
Plan
Planning ahead of time can be both convenient and productive. Having your lunch prepared at home will allow you to eat healthier. You can make fibre-rich meals to help you stay energised during the day. This will make you more willing to be active during the day and keep you away from unhealthy snacks like doughnuts and cupcakes.
