How To Find A Standing Desk That's Right For You And Fits Your Budget
Sitting down at your desk all day can be detrimental to your health and overall well being. In the last few years, standing desks have become more popular as a way to mitigate the effects of being sedentary while working at your desk. There are many options available for standing desks to suit your physical and monetary needs.
Negative health effects of sitting for too long
A recent study concluded that sitting for over four hours a day is linked to higher occurrences of chronic or fatal conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Sitting for over six hours a day corresponded to a much higher risk of diabetes in particular. The risks for all of these chronic diseases skyrocketed for study participants who sat for over eight hours a day at their occupations. A different study suggests that even if you work out to compensate for sitting all day, your health risks are still elevated compared to people who work on their feet.
Advantages of using a standing desk
Using a standing desk can reduce your risk for obesity and heart problems. One study found that standing at your desk rather than sitting, generated an energy expenditure of 50 more calories per hour. If you work eight hours a day, that's an easy 400 calories you wouldn't have burned otherwise, as much as a 45 minute gym session!
How to figure out what standing desk is right for you
There are several things to consider when looking for a standing desk. Do you plan on standing all of the time or would like to be able to sit occasionally? If you would like the option of sitting, you might want to consider a standing desk that's adjustable. Adjustable standing desks come in motorized and hand-operated versions. You can adjust the length to fit your height and workspace preferences. Does your standing desk need to support a lot of weight? Look for a standing desk that is sturdy and locks in place firmly.
How to find a standing desk that is affordable
If money is an issue for buying a standing desk, you can always go the do-it-yourself route. You might also consider finding a used standing desk at a garage sale. There are also affordable options that you can find online if you do your research. Standing desks are becoming more popular. An online search will return many options, at many price points. A visit to your local office supply store will yield many options as well.
A standing desk is a smart choice for improving your health while getting your work done. Figure out what features are important to you before going shopping, then look at your options online and at brick and mortar stores before making a decision.