Standing At Work: Is It Bad?

You’ve probably heard that sitting is the new smoking. Too much time spent sitting down has been linked to various health problems, from obesity and heart disease to cancer. So it’s no surprise that more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their time spent sitting. One popular solution is standing at desks while using comfortable shoes for standing at work. But are they any better for your health? Let’s take a closer look.

Standing vs. Sitting: Which is Better?

Finding the optimal balance between sitting and standing all day at work allows you to care for your physical and mental health while completing your office job quickly and efficiently. The sweet spot is different for everyone, but for most individuals who sit at a desk all day, finding the correct balance entails increasing the number of times you stand and the amount of time you stand for.

What Happens to Your Body When You Sit All Day?

People have reported spending significantly more time sitting down, a trend over the last few decades. Studies show that the number of sedentary jobs has climbed by 83 percent since 1950. Researchers have zoomed in on some of the problems that workers encounter that are related to sitting all day at work, and this comes at a time when we are dealing with some of the fallout that has resulted from the transition toward more sedentary work.

Even if you have a high-end office chair, research has shown that sitting in one position for the entirety of the workday is detrimental to your health and can also affect your productivity at work.

The following is a list of just some of the adverse effects that sitting for long periods can have on your body:

• Poor sitting posture commonly includes slouching or hunching over a desk or slouching because core muscles are not adequately engaged, which contributes to eventual spine difficulties.
• Increased likelihood of feeling sluggish and exhausted
• A greater chance of putting on weight.
• Increased likelihood of acquiring symptoms of depression
• A higher chance of passing away from any cause in general

Standing All Day at Work: When to Stop 

How do you know when to sit down if standing benefits your health? As they spend more time standing at a height-adjustable desk, most people eventually start to ask themselves this issue directly or indirectly.

It’s possible to get too much of a good thing, just like anything else. If you feel that the time you have been standing makes the activity at hand more difficult, then you have probably been standing for too long. To put it another way, if you are feeling antsy, having trouble concentrating, and suffering muscle tension, you have likely been standing for too long, a sign that you need to make a speedy switch.

It takes some getting used to working at a standing desk, both in terms of how often you stand and how long you stand. You can begin establishing a beneficial balance by starting with intervals of five minutes at a time. Take a break when standing for an extended time is distracting or uncomfortable. During this break, move around, stretch, and try to refocus your eyes.

Health Risks from Standing Too Long

When it comes to working, is it preferable to stand or sit? There are severe health concerns that can be experienced by people standing all day at work. Some of the most significant dangers of standing for long periods are:

• Problems with the cardiovascular system include carotid atherosclerosis, leg edema, lightheadedness or vertigo, concerns with the heart rate, excessive blood pressure, and venous disorders.
• Lower limb muscle fatigue
• A higher possibility of developing blood clots in the legs.
• Pain in the legs and lower back
• Outcomes of pregnancy that are harmful to a woman’s health, such as low birth weight and premature deliveries

Invest in Custom Orthotics from NetStep

Does the nature of your job involve long hours of standing? To avoid foot-related problems, it is best to invest in custom orthotics from NetStep. The pressure placed on your feet throughout a typical day is redistributed by custom orthotics, giving your feet additional cushioning and support. If you have arthritis or your job requires you to stand for long periods, this will significantly assist you. Using orthotics can also avoid pressure sores and other foot problems associated with diabetes. Contact us at (888) 718-3957 and get your custom orthotics delivered to your doorstep.