Office Health andWellbeing Benefits
Heart Risks
Muscles are less active and therefore burn less fat while a person is seated. Together with a higher blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels, this increases the risk of heart disease.
Brain Activity
If you stay fixed in one position, insufficient oxygen-rich blood will be pumped around the body, causing brain function to slow down.
Muscle Problems
If you stay seated all day, your leg muscles and gluteus muscles will become inactive, thus reducing your ability to sit up straight.
Poor Circulation
Remaining seated for too long may result in swollen ankles and varicose veins, caused by fluids sinking down into the legs.
Mood and Energy Levels
Standing desks appear to have a positive influence on overall wellbeing.
In one 7-week study, participants using standing desks reported less stress and fatigue than those who remained seated the entire work day. One study found that standing desks can lower feelings of stress and fatigue while improving mood and energy levels.
Lowers Risk of Obesity
Prolonged periods of sitting can slow down your metabolism and promote fat accumulation. By simply standing up intermittently while you work, you’ll instantly decrease your risk of obesity.
Using active workstations such as a Leap desk will keep you productive, while also keeping you in shape.
Standing More Can Increase Your Lifespan
Studies have found a strong link between increased sitting time and early death.
This is not surprising given the strong association between sedentary time, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
A review of 18 studies found those who sit the most are at a 49% greater risk of dying early than those who sit the least. It’s estimated that reducing sitting time to 3 hours per day can raise the average life expectancy by two years.
Back Problems
Staying seated for long periods of time can cause weight pressure to be unevenly distributed over the spine, leading to spinal problems in the lower back.
Several studies show that standing desks can dramatically decrease chronic back pain caused by prolonged sitting.
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