It’s no secret that constant sitting has a negative impact on your health. Herniated discs, back pain and neck pain accumulate as a result of working at a desk. The result: employees drop out, which also causes the company to lose sales. So what’s the solution: working standing up! Or: alternating between sitting and standing work. This article will explain in more detail why standing work is so important and how it can best be integrated.
More employees get sick
More and more employees are falling ill. And the reason for this is, on the one hand, stress, which affects the psyche of employees. On the other hand, physical ailments are the cause. Logical: employees sit for hours in front of the screen, – the movement is missing. And sooner or later, this has an impact on health.
Movement must be integrated
Back problems, slipped discs and other ailments that fall into this category are among the typical office ailments. And it’s no wonder: In the office, employees perform their work at their desks. In some cases, they sit in front of the computer for eight hours at a stretch without compensation. But it would be too short-sighted to organize only a few standing desks. The stress level in the office should also not be underestimated. For this reason, a combination should be made: On the one hand, exercise, on the other hand, the psychological problems should also be addressed.
To prevent the discomfort from occurring in the first place, enough exercise should be integrated into everyday life. For most, this is difficult to accomplish, as the workday is often packed with obligations. A walk at lunchtime or on the way home is sufficient here. Exercise is also a real miracle cure for stress resilience. A standing desk is also a useful tool.
Standing desk
Many companies are already using them: Height-adjustable desks. They can be used as a standing desk or as a completely normal desk, as desired. It is therefore by no means sensible to perform one’s work only while standing. Rather, work should be done alternately standing and sitting. Unfortunately, in many cases, these desks are not approved until there is a specific back condition. Which is certified by a physician. However, it does not have to come so far. Because employers invest thereby in their own enterprise.
The advantages of standing desks:
- The back is relieved and back pain is reduced
- Breathing is promoted
- Blood circulation is increased. The result: improved circulation, which lifts the spirits
- Employees provide relief for the legs
- Calories are burned
- Communication is increased
- Employees are more active and work more productively
- Employees appear more confident. This is because the voice pitch changes in a standing position.
For the standing desk position to reach its full potential, employees should make sure they are standing in the right position. Because if the posture is wrong, even a standing desk can’t do anything. So, there is no point in enjoying a standing desk if a stooping posture is adopted. This will only increase the back pain. The key is to adopt the right position to counteract this development.
What to watch out for
Office illnesses have been on the rise for years. On the one hand, stress-related illnesses are the causes, and on the other hand, physical complaints. Physical complaints can be explained by the hours of sedentary work at the workplace. Back problems and neck pain are promoted. The consequence is higher absenteeism. But not only physical, but also psychological complaints are a problem. For this reason, both elements should be looked at more closely. For physical discomfort, a standing desk is a good investment. Here, work should alternate between sitting and standing to relieve the back and neck.
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