Walking Standing Desk: 10 Things I Wish I d Known In The Past
Benefits of a Walking Standing Desk
A standing desk that walks is a workstation with an under-the-desk treadmill. They are more expensive than standard desks but they provide a number of benefits that are worth the investment.
Regular exercise boosts immunity and helps reduce absenteeism and illness. It can also help lower stress levels.
Increased Energy
It's not a secret that sitting for prolonged periods of time can lead to energy loss, making it difficult to concentrate and finish tasks. A desk with a walk can help you combat this by introducing movement and exercise into your workday. The subtle movement of the treadmill keeps the body's systems energized and pumping throughout the day.
Walking improves blood circulation and delivers oxygen and nutrients to your brain and muscles. This boost in energy can help you stay alert, focused and productive throughout the day.
A sedentary lifestyle is associated with a variety of health problems and decreased life expectancy. Adding a treadmill desk to your routine of work can dramatically improve your health and productivity by decreasing your time in sedentary and encouraging consistent light exercise.
Studies have proven that working at a treadmill desk can decrease the risk of developing diabetes obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. In addition to these physical benefits, it has also been proven that working on a treadmill can increase cognitive performance and decrease absenteeism.
Some people worry that they will become too exhausted when using a treadmill desk, but this is not usually the situation. The constant pace of walking keeps muscles active and fueled. Many users have reported that they can walk for more than 5 miles in a single day without feeling exhausted.
Treadmill desks aren't cheap however they are worth the cost. You can sit, stand or walk around the day based on your mood or goals. They are especially useful for those who have only a small amount of space as they can be used instead of a traditional desk that is adjustable height desk.
It can take some time to get used walking and working at the same time. Training tasks that require fine motor skills or a high level of concentration on the treadmill under desk can be difficult, and it's recommended to use a computer-controlled keyboard and mouse to make the process simpler. Despite these concerns, LeCheminant and Larson found that the health benefits of a treadmill desk are greater than any negative impact on productivity.
Better Blood Flow
Working for long periods can lead to a variety of health issues, such as neck and back pain. A standing desk that is movable allows you to move about during the day and alleviates these issues by increasing blood circulation throughout your body. A treadmill under your workstation will also help you burn calories, which can boost your overall health and wellbeing.
Research has shown that the most effective way to increase productivity is to incorporate the exercise routine into your day. Studies also show that your brain performs better when you move and engaging your muscles. One study found that those who sat down to complete tasks that required fine motor skills were 20% less efficient than those who moved.
This is due to the fact that moving around increases blood flow to the brain and helps you focus and think clearly. Walking throughout the day helps you remain focused and alert on your task, and it can prevent the common problems associated with prolonged periods of sedentary work, like low blood flow, which can lead to swelling of ankles, varicose veins, and even blood clots.
Another benefit of using a treadmill desk is that it helps to ease neck and back pain. When you stand, your spine lengthens and relieves pressure on discs of the spine. It is important to adhere to ergonomic principles when you incorporate standing desks in your routine. Sitting too much can cause the discs in the lumbar region to get compressed, which could cause strain on your lower back and shoulders. Sitting can increase the curve of your back, causing pain in your back or neck. Standing can help reduce this pain because it relieves the pressure on your spine, while allowing for good posture and maintaining a straight back.
While you can work on the treadmill while sitting down, most treadmill desks are built to accommodate a computer desk and monitor. Desks aren't as stable, which could hinder your ability to complete tasks that require fine motor skills. In addition the continuous movement of a treadmill desk can cause distraction to your coworkers and can disrupt your concentration. Therefore, it's important to use a treadmill desk only in areas where you can work comfortably with other people around you.
Creativity Boosted
Walking and standing are an active, stimulating way to boost your creativity. When we are sitting, we have a tendency to view our work from a sea-level view (except for what's at our desk). However, when you get out of your chair and walk to your desk, you're suddenly able to see your concepts from a whole new perspective, like you're in a balcony that overlooks the world below. This new visual perspective can trigger all kinds of creative ideas and thoughts.
Exercise is directly related to creativity. In a research study, participants were given an object and asked to brainstorm ways that the object could be used, test subjects who walked for a short time after their brainstorming exercise had up to 60 percent more uses for the objects than those who remained seated.
Sitting for long periods can have a negative effect on the brain which makes it difficult to focus and think clearly. But when you use a walking standing desk and move around, the blood flow can help you concentrate more effectively, and gives your brain a nice small boost to aid in your thinking more creatively.
In fact, a Latvian start-up has reported that their employees who walked standing desks saw a 10% increase in productivity. This was in addition to other health benefits that are well-known from walking in the office, including less fatigue and stress.
Standing desks encourage creative thinking This is the reason why more companies are shifting to them. The popularity of this new office trend has even spread to school campuses where groups such as Stand Up Kids are trying to convince schools that the best method for children to learn is having them stand all day while they are working.
While some of the research about standing and productivity has been mixed, the majority of experts agree that the overall trend is positive. Dan Kois, reporter for New York Magazine tried to complete a month in his standing desk and described it the "most productive month of my lifetime". The benefits of using a standing desk that moves are obvious.
Reduce Stress
Researchers have found that when you're moving around throughout the day, it can help to lower stress levels. Exercise stimulates the brain and boosts blood flow. It aids in focusing and boosts your cognitive function. It can also help to boost your mood and decrease the risk of certain health conditions.
If you don't have a treadmill desk, you can still enjoy the same benefits with a standing desk. You'll need to ensure that your lumbar spine is properly supported and that the desk is raised enough to allow you to be able to comfortably view your computer screen without having to tilt or hunch it.
In addition, you'll need to consider the size of your space and whether it can accommodate chairs. Some standing desks are adjustable in heights, making it simpler to switch from standing to sitting throughout the day. Other options include desk converters that let you sit while working at the standing desk, or treadmill-based workstations that can be moved up and down to allow you to sit or stand.
Some studies have found that when employees utilize treadmill walking desks, they're able to complete their work more effectively than those who do not. This is because when employees walk while working, they can concentrate more quickly and maintain a steady level of activity. Other studies have shown that utilizing a treadmill while at work can reduce the amount of time spent sitting for long periods of time that has been linked to a range of serious health issues.
Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that employees who use treadmill workstations are less likely to suffer negative effects on their psychological and physical health than those who don't. It's important to note however that more research is needed to better understand the results of these workplace interventions, such as those that require active workstations such as treadmill desks. Studies that utilize randomization, longer follow-up times and larger samples will be beneficial in determining how these types of workplace fitness initiatives could positively impact the health of employees.