Anyone who has to endure long working days in the office will notice a twinge in their back by early evening at the latest. Due to the monotonous posture often experienced in the office chair, the back is constantly subjected to one-sided strain and not infrequently suffers damage. Our body can and must do much more than just sit in a seated position for several hours. That’s why more and more medical professionals are advocating working in a standing position, which can relieve strain on the back and thus prevent serious damage to the spine.
But working at a high desk where you can stand not only provides more freedom of movement, but also creates a better working atmosphere.
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In ergonomics, new work options are constantly being used
An ergonomically designed workstation promotes employee health and helps employees work more efficiently. As a general rule, employers should not dictate to their employees whether they must work standing or sitting. Ideally, they should be able to use both options to achieve the greatest possible effect.
The standing desk, which is usually a round desk at a comfortable height that invites employees to work while standing, can put an end to constant sitting and still increase employee productivity. Here, employees have the opportunity to work with their laptops at the standing desk and relieve their backs every now and then in between. Not only does the desk help promote physical well-being, but it can also give employees a whole new view of the goings-on in the office, because from the changed position, they can often get in touch with other colleagues more quickly and gain a new perspective on the flow of their colleagues’ work.
Why is it important to work in an upright position?
At a standing desk, not only can your back be relieved if you would otherwise be sitting in front of the PC for hours on end. Since standing is a person’s natural posture, other advantages of working at a standing desk also become apparent.
The body gets better blood circulation
In the standing position the body can be better supplied with blood, so that the general well-being improves again. If the body is better supplied with blood, the circulation also benefits. This means that even after a hearty lunch during the break, employees who work at the standing desk are more efficient and less likely to show signs of fatigue.
Improved absorption of oxygen
When you are in an upright position, you can breathe more deeply into your body. When standing, the body has much more room to absorb the valuable oxygen. Improved breathing not only has a positive effect on physical well-being, but also ensures that we are more receptive and efficient and remain so throughout the long working day.
More freedom of movement
People who work standing up can change positions more often, giving their bodies more movement in an otherwise rigid workday. Shift your body weight from one leg to the other, shake out your legs and arms for a moment, or even stretch at the standing desk. Not to mention the short walks that you might not otherwise have gotten out of your office chair to do. At a standing desk, you always have the opportunity to move around, shifting your body weight so that you don’t put the wrong kind of strain on your back in the long run. This is conducive to well-being because it prevents painful tension and strengthens muscles during the workday.