Standing Desks: A Holistic Approach

After hours of prolonged sitting at work or in your home office, do you feel neck and shoulder pain, and possibly some joint stiffness especially when you stand up from your desk to walk?  In today’s workplace many of us are using a computer and are glued to our desks for hours at a time. Our jobs can be demanding as we are constantly trying to hit many deadlines, and sometimes we are in a momentum working on a passion project that we lose track of time, many hours have passed by, and we have not moved from our seat.

It is important to find ways to minimize the health risks associated with prolonged sitting which can lead tomusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) conditions affecting joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons, and structures that support limbs, neck and back.  After the common cold,back pain is the most frequent cause of missed work days for adults under 45 years of age, and accounts for 25% of worker compensation claims.

According to theThe Workers Health & Safety Centre,the estimated economic costs of MSDs in Canada is approximately $22 billion annually. The good news is there are solutions to mitigate these health risks, as more workplaces are creating ergonomic workstations to increase employee productivity, engagement, as well as reduce the risk of a soft-tissue injury (musculoskeletal disorder).

You need to set yourself for comfort in your office space, to give you the leverage you need to enjoy your work and be productive, without impacting your health and quality of life. 

Investing in a high qualityelectric standing desk orstanding desk converter will help improve your posture whether you are sitting, standing or perching. You can adjust the sit-stand desk to your height preference, to alleviate symptoms related to MSDs, typically a by product of improper or prolonged sitting positions. 

Living a healthy lifestyle is a holistic approach that is not limited to certain activities or hours of the day.  Just as diet and exercise are important for optimal health, so is having a flexible ergonomic workspace that will support you without compromising productivity, and ultimately your health.