Over the past few years, people have become more and more health-conscious. Recently, this awareness has extended into the workplace. Many companies have made changes to work schedules and office layouts due to the correlation between employee well-being and productivity.
One of these innovations has been the introduction of sit-stand desks, or standing desks, to the workplace. In this post, we will take a look at what they are and the benefits of standing desks for employees and employers.
What Are Standing Desks?
Standing desks are desks that can be adjusted to different heights throughout the course of the day. They enable employees to move around more freely and not stay in the same position for hours on end. The height of standing desks can be adjusted at the touch of the button and allows your employees to have a good stretch while they are at their desks.
Why Are More and More Businesses Using Them?
The reason why they are gaining popularity is that numerous reports have suggested that sitting in one position for long periods of time is counterproductive.
Sitting down all day can cause problems with posture, which can cause a loss in concentration, resulting in a low level of productivity. Doctors have advised people to move about as much as possible throughout the day. However, the practical application of this could be problematic. That is where standing desks come in.
Health Benefits for the Individual
Employee well-being has been subject to a lot of research in recent years, and the general consensus at the moment is that you shouldn’t sit down at your desk for prolonged periods.
There are many health benefits to using standing desks, such as:
- Improved blood circulation
- Lower risk of obesity, as people burn more calories when they are standing
- Improved posture
- Reduction in chronic back problems
- Better mood and higher energy levels
Just looking at a few of these health benefits should highlight that standing desks can save a business a lot of time and money as a result of employee sick days and poor motivation.
Health Improvements Lead to Increased Productivity
Numerous studies have highlighted the health benefits of moving around the office during the day. Standing desks enable employees to do this, and the research has been very complementary to the benefits of their use.
For example, standing can help employees improve their overall posture, and by moving their blood circulation, their mood can improve. This helps your staff remain focused during the day and deliver higher-quality work.
Dynamic Workplaces
Giving your staff the choice of sitting or standing automatically changes the overall dynamics of the workplace. Sitting and standing all day is less than ideal, but regularly moving around helps concentration, mood, and energy levels. It also allows your employees to change the height of their workspace at a time that suits them and for specific tasks.