Scientific research demonstrate that sitting for prolonged periods of time can be harmful

Researchers use the term "Sitting Disease" to describe metabolic syndrome and the negative impact that sedentary behaviors have on the human body. The disease is shown to decrease metabolic rates, increase the risk of heart and circulatory problems, and cause aches and pains throughout the body. Alternating from a seated position to a standing position throughout the day is the great way to promote a healthier body and fight sitting diseases.

The American Medical Association recognized the potential risks of prolonged sitting and encourages employers and employees to make available alternatives to sitting, such as sit-stand desks into the work environment. Standing desks are among the top rated tools for office environments to be healthier and comfortable work places. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that when workers are equipped with sit-to-stand height adjustable desks, their mood increases for the better and the sitting duration is reduced. They encourage offices to have standing work-spaces to fight sitting disease.

Make the simple decision to change to a standing desk. An ergonomic sit-to-stand desk is an easy tool to get you to move more throughout the day. When you stand more you will notice a difference in your productivity and you will feel better.

Could offices change from sitting to standing?

BBC News is also jumping on the standing desk trend. An article they released says, "The whole concept of sitting as the norm in workplaces is a recent innovation, points out Jeremy Myerson, professor of design at the Royal College of Art. "If you look at the late 19th Century," he says, Victorian clerks could stand at their desks and "moved around a lot more". The article goes on to say, "It's possible to look back at the industrial office of the past 100 years or so as some kind of weird aberration in a 1,000-year continuum of work where we've always moved around." Read the whole article HERE.

Want more productive meetings? Ditch your chairs!

Another one of our favorite articles about teamwork and collaboration that revolves around the idea of standing. A new study using wearable sensors suggests that teamwork is done best when employees are standing up. The information found that, "The people who worked standing up were less defensive about their ideas than those who lounged in chairs..." and went on to say, "Luckily, standing is free--so testing out these findings firsthand is as simple as getting employees off their butts." We agree. If team meetings are more collaborative, then certainly standing up throughout the day will make you more productive. You can read the rest of the article from FastCoDesign HERE. And the "Get Up, Stand Up, The Effects of a Non-Sedentary Workspace on Information Elaboration and Group Performance" published by Social Psychological and Personality Science.

So, just how sedentary are U.S. workers? In the chart above you will see that the average employee spends more then 30 hours a week seated at a desk. Most people go home and sit for 6 or more hours after work and that doesn't factor in seating time while driving the commute back and forth from work and home. With one small improvement like adding a sit-to-stand desk in your life, you can change how much you sit at work.

We believe the best choice for standing desks is at Zero Gravity Tables. They provide excellent height adjustable desks that can help you prevent sitting disease. A simple fix to your work environment, can help you have a healthier and better active life.