March 2017

How Stand Up Desks Relieve Back Pain

A majority of Americans have neck and back pain due to sitting for an extended period of time. It may seem a bit off but people don’t know how to sit correctly at their desk – think about the height and angles of your desk and how they factor into neck and back pain.

Typically, people slump their back and shoulders or their head is pushed forward when they do work. This is one of the major causes of back and neck pain. Your neck and upper back muscles have to work much harder when the weight of your head is always pulling forward.

How a Standing Desk Can Help

Standing desks are a great solution for those who want to avoid neck and back pain or are seeking a healthier life. Although you might not be in any pain yet, you should be proactive about neck and back pain before it begins.

By constantly standing, you’re relieving pressure on your neck and back and promoting a healthier posture. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  standing for one hour reduces neck and back pain by 54%.

When using a standup desk, make sure your monitor is at eye-level and the keyboard is at the height of your hands when your forearm is parallel to the floor. An anti-fatigue floor mat is also a good idea so you can take pressure off your legs and feet.  Your arms should stay at a 90-degree angle and keep elbows close to the body to avoid slouching.

You can certainly sit for a little bit throughout the day. Some people prefer to start off standing for two hours and gradually increasing to four. When it comes to standing desks, don’t stay at the desk all day like a statue.  Shift weight on your toes, going up and down six to eight times and try some shoulder rolls. If you can, avoid wearing heels as this can create problems with the knees, hips and back.

Standing desks are specifically designed to help fix posture and keep your back free from pain. By having your computer screen at the same level as your eyes, you can prevent the strain on your back since you won’t be looking down.

Health Benefits of Using a Standing Desk

This standing desk goes where you do.

If you work a standard 9 to 5 job, then you are certainly aware that sitting all day can be quite tiresome. Not to mention, sitting all day doesn’t really burn any calories and studies have proven that sitting for an excessive period of time leads to weight gain and obesity. Let’s take a look at some of the major health benefits of standing desks.

Lowered Risk of Weight Gain

Of course, exercise is the quickest way to burn calories but standing instead of sitting all day does have its benefits.  According to Authority Nutrition, in comparison to a sedentary work life, an equal amount of time standing burns an additional 170 calories.

Lowered Risk of Heart Disease

Through extensive research conducted by several scientists, sitting for a prolonged period increases the risk of heart disease by 147%. In fact, in one study, bus conductors who stood the entire day had half the risk of heart disease-related deaths as those who remained seated.

Reduced Back Pain

You’ve probably heard colleagues complaining about back issues or maybe you’ve been complaining yourself! Upper back and neck pain can be reduced by 54% after 4 weeks when using a standing desk.

Improved Mood

Say goodbye to fatigue when you use standing desks! Sitting is linked to your mental health so it’s no wonder that your mood increases when standing at work. When sitting throughout the day, you’re at a greater risk of depression and anxiety.

Improved Productivity

Some people may question whether standing desks negatively impact typing. However, once you get used to it, you’ll notice that the characters you type per minute won’t decrease. Since standing boosts your mood and energy level, productivity is going to increase!

Ready to get a standing desk? At StandStand we are dedicated to providing customers with affordable, sturdy standing desks. Whether you need a standing desk for your home office or you want to bring it into work every day, our lightweight standing desks are simple to assemble and perfect for those with a busy lifestyle.

 

Advantages of Our Bamboo Standing Desks

elegant collapsible stand up deskAt StandStand, we couldn’t be happier that people are getting on board with a more eco-friendly lifestyle. That being said, we use bamboo for some of our standing desks and our customers are thrilled. Not only is bamboo durable but it adds a bit of flair to any room.

Again, durability is one of the major reasons that people are head-over-heels for bamboo furniture. Unlike other woods, bamboo is resistant to the everyday wear and tear and can handle a beating (if you aren’t very gentle with your belongings, this is for you). If you plan on giving your standing desk a great deal of use, opt for our bamboo desks.

Resistance to swelling isn’t something that may cross your mind but consider when you will be using your standing desk. If you’re bringing the bamboo standing desk outside in the summer or you plan on traveling with it and using the desk outdoors, you must plan on the atmosphere changing. Humidity, dry air and temperature changes won’t have any negative effects on bamboo.

Bamboo is economically viable. What does this mean exactly? Bamboo grows in tropical zones and rural environments. By purchasing bamboo from these locations, we are helping to develop other economies. This also reduces industrial and urbanization impacts. Bamboo is ultimately helping with modernization!

Lightweight furniture has become increasingly popular and StandStand is on board. It’s easy to transport your bamboo desk, unlike heavier hardwoods. This is especially important with our standing desks as a majority of our customers are bringing their desks to and from work.

Maintenance isn’t anything you need to worry about with bamboo standing desks. Since bamboo doesn’t get as damaged from water, the wood won’t rot. It’s also termite resistant and all you need is a damp cloth when cleaning it off.

Purchase your StandStand bamboo desk today and see what everyone is raving about. Feel free to fill out our contact form if you have any questions!

Best Practices for Using a Standing Desk

elegant sit stand desk in bambooMaking moves to better your health? Then you’ve probably already purchased a standing desk. If you’re a first timer, don’t worry, getting adjusted can be a bit tricky. Just hang in there because you’re on your way to decreasing your risk of anxiety, depression, weight gain and high blood pressure. We’re here to help you get acclimated to your new standing desk.

Understanding Posture

Your neck, torso, legs and head should all be in line. Using a footrest to shift your weight between feet is going to make things a lot easier. Make sure to wear shoes that give you ample support.

Monitor Placement

Keep the laptop or monitor at arm’s length and the screen should be above eye level. If you wear glasses, the monitor can be lowered an additional 1-2 inches. You’ll also want the brightest light source off to the side. If you use two monitors, keep them in close proximity to one another and at an angle. However, if one monitor is used significantly more than the other, place the other monitor to the side.

Keyboard & Mouse Placement

The mouse and keyboard should be on the same surface and close enough where your elbows remain close to your body. When typing, the wrists should be straight and your upper arms close to the body. Using keyboard shortcuts can reduce the amount of mouse use and you can adjust mouse sensitivity for a lighter touch.

Roll Your Shoulders

Hunched, slumped shoulders are almost inevitable for those of us who have been sitting in an office for years. When switching to a standing desk, you may have found yourself with an awkward stance. Take 10 seconds here and there to focus on your shoulders. Move your shoulders forward, up and then as far back as you can. Make sure the shoulder blade slides gently down the spine.

Go For a Quick Walk

Whether you’re standing or sitting, being immobile is just downright bad for your health. Go for a quick walk, whether it’s five minutes or 20 minutes. Try a five-minute walk at least once an hour.

If you need more tips and tricks, stay tuned for more blogs! Fill out our contact form if you have questions or if you want to share your experience with us!