We have all heard by now that too much sitting throughout your day isn’t a great thing. There have been a lot of studies on the hazards of being stuck to your chair throughout the day. But if you work in an office, what can you do about it?
Should you get creative and use something else besides the normal chair and desk setup? Should you not sit at all throughout the day? Would it be better if you walk around during your phone calls and meetings? Let’s look into some of this and what may be the best solution for you and your office staff.
Standing Desks: Are They Worth It?
There have been several studies on the considerable benefits of desks with adjustable platforms that allow you to choose between standing or sitting while you work. There is no doubt that standing desk options are becoming more and more a regular part of the desk-bound office scene. One study published by the International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health, found workers decreased their sitting time at work by 21% when using them.
We began using stand up desks at Arnold Insurance Company in 2018 and it has been a great thing for our staff. Cory Barker works with our Commercial Lines team and had this to say about the difference in having a stand-up desk, “ Well for one, it’s great you’re not sitting all day. I’d say I stand while I work for about 90% of my day. I didn’t come from an office background before joining the agency so sitting all day was not natural for me. Having the option to stand is a game changer and I think it helps my posture a ton.”
According to the Huffington Post, standing desks are best used if workers acclimate to them slowly. Placing a mat underneath your feet and keeping the computer screen about 15 to 30 inches from your face is also beneficial.
What About Ball Chairs?
Rubber exercise balls are also being seen in offices more regularly as an alternative to desk chairs. The idea is that sitting on the ball requires extra muscle usage and prevents excessive sitting while improving your overall posture.
However, The New York Times's wellness blog, Ask Well, has a different opinion on the exercise balls. While employees certainly burn more calories than they would in a usual chair, the news outlet noted that exercise balls don't actually help posture and can actually lead to back pain.
Walk & Talk
According to Harvard Business Review, walking is more conducive to effective thinking and creativity than sitting. Although it isn’t practical for everyone, walk and talk meetings may prove to be more productive for your employees. The publication recommended that walking meetings be held outside, if possible, so productivity is maintained and potentially improved while leaving the office setting.
What do you think about Standing Desks - Do you buy it?
