Balancing Standing and Sitting: Handy Tips from Health Experts

Recent news in the health and fitness world suggests that standing desks might not be as beneficial for your health as previously thought. You may have seen headlines like “Health risks associated with standing desks, reports study” and “Is it time to reconsider the use of your standing desk?”. So, what’s the story behind this and should you be concerned about your standing desk?

Understanding the Research Behind the Standing Desk Health Warning

These news stories originate from a recent study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. The research, led by Dr Matthew Ahmadi of the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health, scrutinizes the link between sitting, standing, and stationary time, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and orthostatic circulatory disease. The study followed more than 83,000 UK adults for nearly seven years and suggests that standing desks might not be the health savior they’re often touted to be.

Standing Desks: Not a Perfect Solution for Health

The study reveals that while many public health strategies promote standing as a beneficial alternative to sitting, the reality is more complex. Both sitting and standing for extended periods are associated with health risks, including CVD and orthostatic circulatory diseases such as orthostatic hypotension, varicose veins, and venous ulcers.

According to the research, every additional hour above 10 hours per day of sitting was linked with a higher risk of orthostatic circulatory diseases. However, standing for more than two hours per day also increased the risk of these diseases, albeit to a lesser extent. Interestingly, while sitting time was linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, standing time was not.

Are Standing Desks Bad for Your Health?

While the study does establish a correlation between both sitting and standing for long periods and certain health risks, the key factor identified is the amount of time spent stationary. If you use one of the top standing desks in conjunction with an under-desk treadmill, you can mitigate these risks by ensuring you’re moving while standing.

Standing Desks and Your Health: Finding a Balance

Regardless of whether you prefer to sit or stand while working, the key is to incorporate regular breaks and frequent movement into your routine. The study challenges the common belief that simply replacing sitting with standing can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. To truly promote health and wellbeing, a balance between sitting, standing, and moving is necessary.

While standing desks can still offer benefits like burning more calories and improving posture, it’s important to remember to move frequently and take regular breaks. Tools like the best fitness trackers or smartwatches can help monitor your movement and remind you to keep active throughout the day, whether you’re sitting or standing at your desk.