How To Design A Healthy Workstation

The current proliferation in awareness of the sitting disease has caused some scientists to come up with solutions on how to encourage people to stand more and sit less. It is becoming painfully obvious that prolonged sitting is detrimental to health as it can weaken the muscles and cause the central nervous system to slow down leading to fatigue. Increased heart risk has been identified as well and it may lead to obesity because of poor fat burning. In addition, sitting for more than two hours will drop the activity level of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that breaks certain fats in the bloodstream.

Various studies were conducted to determine the activities that can help break up sedentary time. These activities include information regarding the benefits of standing, changing work environments, such as adding standing or adjustable desks; providing a timetable for purposeful break time that includes stretching, doing some yoga poses, recording sitting times, or even providing a bell that rings every hour or two that serves as a sign to stand and move.

CHANGING WORKSTATION: THE INCLUSION OF STANDING DESK

The most evident among the suggested activities is the inclusion of a standing desk as part of a sit-stand workstation. The problem of prolonged sitting has given opportunities to entrepreneurial-minded business owners to develop new products to help provide much-needed remedies. The results are life-changing workstations that allow workers to stand up and sit down whenever needed, to give a much-needed change in position to their bodies.

The Take-a-Stand Project conducted a study among employees with sedentary jobs. The participants are divided into two groups. The intervention group of 24 participants received a sit-stand device to fit their workstation, and the comparison group of 10 participants did not. The study result showed that taking a stand while working with the use of standing desk can reduce time spent sitting by 224% for at least an hour a day, reduce upper back and neck pain by 54%, and improved mood states. Furthermore, when the standing desk was removed, the observed improvements were back to zero within 2 weeks.

THE ERGONOMIC SETUP OF SIT TO STAND WORKSTATIONS

It is necessary to set up a sit to stand workstation following recommended guidelines. When sitting or standing, you must follow a forward-facing posture. The top of the desk surface is at elbow height (or slightly below) and the keyboard as well as the mouse on the same level and close to each other while your arms are close to your side.

The top of your monitor screen must be at eye level to avoid digital strain. The monitor is positioned in such a manner that you don’t have to tilt your head back (or down). The height of the monitor is adjusted when standing to ensure correct standing posture. Be sure to keep needed items within reach. You can use a document holder when it will fit the workstation especially when typing.

CONVERTING A REGULAR DESK TO STANDING DESK

Standing has a variety of benefits when done properly. When standing, your body can burn up to an extra 2 kcal per minute in comparison to sitting all day. Standing provides fast relief from muscular-skeletal discomforts such as stiff neck and lower back pain. It can also reduce cardio-metabolic diseases, premature mortality together with better nutrition, reduce/eliminating smoking, and manage stress effectively.

Another reason for standing is weight loss, as standing requires more energy, it may reduce fat deposited around the waist and vital organs. It will also help prevent painful back, neck and arm problems. If your desk height is not properly installed, you will find yourself in a crooked position, extending your neck forward, and bringing discomfort to your eyes and arms.

A poorly designed work area can be especially harmful to your health as it jeopardizes your neck and upper back regions. One product that is acquiring much-needed attention in office ergonomic design is the AnthroDesk ErgoConvert Electric Standing Desk Converter.

This standing desk converter sits on top of your regular existing desk and can move from sitting to standing with the push of a button. It has electric height adjustable controls that give you an infinite number of heights you can finely adjust based on your ergonomic height. It’s really all about moving and the ErgoConvert will help you move.

Posture is important when using a standing desk. When using the Standing Desk Converter it is easier to move and adjust the height of the monitor and the keyboard. The motorized column is clean and sleek and has a standard VESA mount for your monitor. The build does not include wobbly risers nor unsteady monitor stands like some of the spring lifting mechanisms out in the market. Another great feature of this product is the powerful motor that can lift up to 50 lbs. And most importantly, the Standing Desk Converter comes with a 5-year warranty, providing a commitment from AnthroDesk that is worthy of your health.