6 Science-based reasons why you need miDesc

Standing at work can lower your risk of weight gain and obesity

Standing for an afternoon has been shown to burn 170 more calories than an equal amount of sitting. Over time, this difference can have a major effect on your weight.  By standing for just three hours a day we can get the equivalent health benefits of running approximately 10 marathons a year. 

Using a standing desk can help to better regulate your blood sugars

Studies show that using a standing desk at work can lower blood sugar levels, especially after lunch.

A  study involving 23 office workers found that alternating between standing and sitting every 30 minutes throughout the workday reduced blood sugar spikes by 11.1% on average (7).

The harmful effects of sitting after meals could help explain why excessive sedentary time is linked to a whopping 112% greater risk of type 2 diabetes (2).

Standing may lower your risk of heart disease

A study found that bus conductors who stood all day had half the risk of heart disease-related deaths as their colleagues in the driver’s seats (8).

Scientists have developed a much greater understanding of the effects of sitting on heart health, with prolonged sedentary time thought to increase the risk of heart disease by up to 147% (2, 9)

Alternating  between sitting and standing can help combat low back pain in the workplace

Participants have reported up to a 32% improvement in lower back pain after several weeks of using standing desks (11, 12).

Another study published by the CDC found that use of a sit-stand desk reduced upper back and neck pain by 54% after just 4 weeks (13). 

Additionally, removal of the sit-stand desks reversed some of those improvements within a 2-week period.

Can Standing desks have a positive influence on overall well-being?

In one 7-week study, participants using standing desks reported less stress and fatigue than those who remained seated the entire work day (13).

Additionally, 87% of those using standing desks reported increased vigor and energy throughout the day.

Upon returning to their old desks, overall moods reverted to their original levels.

These findings align with broader research on sitting and mental health, which links sedentary time with an increased risk of both depression and anxiety (14, 15).

Productivity

A common concern about standing desks is that they hinder daily tasks, such as typing.

In a study of 60 young office employees, using a standing desk for 4 hours each day had no impact on characters typed per minute or typing errors (15).

Considering that standing improves mood and energy as well, using a standing desk is more likely to boost productivity rather than hinder it (5).