Do Standing Desks Really Make You More Productive At Work?

If you have been following work-related conversations on and off social media, you know that standing desks have been getting a lot of attention in the past few years. People who have these desks cannot help but talk about just how much they have improved their work performance. Some even claim that they finally kicked their work slumps by standing while working. But is any of this true? Can you truly optimise your work experience by working in an upright position?

There’s only one way to find out – let’s dig into the science of standing desks.

Unveiling the Statistics – Do Standing Desks Have the Numbers?

In any scenario relating to claims, there are always two sides to the coin. There is what people say, and then there is what studies prove – sometimes, they are the same, and in other cases, there are some disparities. So, what can we claim as factual when it comes to standing desks?

Standing Desks and Productivity

Many people have come forward, citing that using standing desks has enabled them to work more efficiently. Along this line, the Texas A&M Health Science Centre School of Public Health embarked on a study that looked at whether working while standing had any significant impact on people’s cognitive functioning. The results unveiled that people were 46% more productive when using standing desks than they were when sitting. So amazing were these results that you can find them in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Several other studies have come up since then, pointing to the same effect.

So, what explains this dramatic increase in productivity? Well, being in an upright position stimulates more blood circulation so that your brain gets more oxygen and nutrients. And when your brain has this combo going for it, your cognitive function increases.

Standing Desks and Overall Wellness

Productivity is not a standalone factor. In fact, it comes down to everything from your external environment to your internal environment. We can agree that standing desks bring in aesthetics that make working more fun – that’s the external environment. But how do these desks impact you internally?

Reports have shown that working in this position comes with the following benefits:

1. Less physical strain. You would think that standing would result in physical strain. But it turns out that standing alleviates upper back, shoulder, and neck discomfort. One year-long study conducted in the Icahn School of Medicine, found that 47% of the people who worked while standing experienced less discomfort compared to when they were seating.
2. Less sitting time. We all know that sitting for long periods of time takes a negative toll on our bodies. A BMJ study revealed that people using standing desks witnessed a 17% decrease in their overall sitting time. What’s more, a Mayo Clinic study pointed out that people who used standing desks for at least an hour a day were more active, burning an average of 87 more calories than those who worked while sitting.
3. Better mood. Several studies, including the ASID Foundation Study and the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Study, have shown that working while standing is beneficial to people’s moods. People are generally less tired, stressed, and anxious when they break the monotony of sitting for hours at a time.

As such, standing desks have been shown to contribute positively to people’s lives and have been instrumental in fostering positive work environments. After all, when people have fewer aches and can perform better at work, they enjoy what they do at a whole new level.

Making the Most of Your Standing Desk

While standing desks can optimise your working experience, this is only possible if you set up your desk right. You always want to ensure that the standing desk frame meets your elbows at a 90-degree angle, as this allows you to move your hands without straining your shoulders. You also want to set up your monitor or laptop at eye level, stand with your feet hip-width apart, relax your shoulders, and wear comfortable shoes. Don’t forget to take frequent breaks and stretches to prevent fatigue in the long term.