Sitting for too long can have profound consequences on our physical and mental health. Too much sitting has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Fortunately, there are many ways that being a member at Cohere can help to counteract the effects of sitting disease.
Cohere-hosted events like Tuesday afternoon yoga provide members with opportunities to be physically active and mentally present. Member-led activities also encourage us to get up and move throughout the day, taking afternoon walks through the tree-lined neighborhood or strolling to one of the nearby eateries for lunch.
Another weapon in the arsenal against sitting disease here at Cohere includes the addition of several adjustable sit-stand desks in our main work area. Here are a few of the benefits you can expect to see from using a sit-stand desk regularly.
Would a sit-stand desk help you? Find out by signing up for a tour of Cohere Coworking today!
1. Better Circulation
Long periods of time sitting in one position can slow down your circulation, sometimes causing blood to pool in the legs and ankles. Standing promotes better blood flow, but standing in the same position for a long time can also lead to blood pooling in the feet.
Experts recommend stretching, walking a few steps, or changing position every thirty minutes to an hour. Using an adjustable-height desk to change position by alternating between sitting and standing improves circulation more than either sitting or standing alone.
2. Reduced Neck and Back Pain
Back pain, particularly lower back pain, is commonly experienced by workers who spend the majority of their time sitting. Multiple studies have illustrated the benefits of a sit-stand desk for The CDC’s Take-a-Stand project in 2011 studied the effects of working at a sit-stand desk versus a traditional desk. They concluded that standing up for at least 66 minutes throughout the day reduced neck and back pain by 54%.3.
3. Improved Posture
Many people fall into a slouch when sitting at a desk, causing tension and muscle fatigue. Over time, poor posture can lead to spinal dysfunction, headaches, rounded shoulders, and joint degeneration. Standing up helps to improve your posture by engaging the core, leg, and back muscles.
4. Blood Sugar Stabilization
Imbalanced blood sugar levels can cause hormones to fluctuate, increase inflammation in the body, and make it difficult to focus and concentrate. Several small studies seem to indicate that standing or walking after eating meals or snacks helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. The stabilizing effect not only affects blood sugar levels while standing but also had lower average glucose levels for up to 24 hours afterward.
5. Improved Mood
A sedentary lifestyle is known to negatively influence mood, increasing both anxiety and depression. Participants in the Take-a-Stand project not only reported less pain overall they also reported less stress and fatigue as well as an improved mood on the days that they utilized the sit-stand desks. Recent university studies also concluded that spending time working at a standing desk may significantly improve mood.
As you can see, there are many advantages to utilizing a sit-stand desk, both for your physical and mental health. It’s important to note that standing in one spot without changing your position is only marginally better than sitting, and that alternating between sitting and standing provides the most profound benefits.
Cohere Coworking has several sit-stand desks available for members to use, each one adjustable with the touch of a button and fitted with dual monitors to hook into their laptop.
Learn more about the perks of being a Cohere member. Sign up for a tour today!
Penny Leigh Sebring is a Cohere member, experienced freelance writer, neophyte speculative fiction author, and gatherer of information and imaginary friends.