When you browse the web engines for ‘standing desks’ or ‘standing desks to increase productivity,’ there is one common thing that pops up. 

“A recent study from Texas A&M University found that employees who used sit-stand desks were 46% more productive than those at traditional desks.”

So do you believe this stat and consider buying a sit-stand desk or want to know more?

If you are still reading this, you are inclined to know more about the sit-stand desks. So here we go.

The Truth About Sit-Stand Desks

There are sitting, standing, and sit-stand desks available in the market. This ergonomic furniture can range from low to massive high, depending on your budget. So, should you or your organisation invest in them?

Let us have a look at what is the truth about these desks.

1. The above stat cannot have the same numbers for your organisation.

The Texas statistics are about employees from a call centre. Plus, they had a dedicated age range. So, you cannot be adamant about the “46%”. It can be higher or lower for your employees. It all depends on the employees’ type of work, work hours, physical build, and other health concerns.

2. The furniture is to be used correctly.

Just buying the desks does not solve our problem. You must ensure that you, or the person using it, has the correct posture. If you purchase an ergonomic sitting desk but are slouching on the chair, it will only add to the woes. 

Even when using the standing desk, it should have a dedicated number of hours and regularly shifting of body weight on both legs. 

3. They DO increase productivity

Standing desks do increase productivity. But the credit cannot be given to them entirely. When flexible furniture is available at a workplace, the employees know that their well-being is vital to the organisation. And this also adds to the credit of being productive.

An employee can take a break by standing to work. This reduces the unnecessary break time taken due to prolonged hours of sitting. But that does not mean that you should avoid breaks for stretching the body. 

The standing desk provides flexibility to work and health benefits that we will discuss in the next section.

Advantages of Standing Desks

When there is flexibility to work at an organisation, the employees work more proactively. It also increases focus, teamwork, and productivity and reduces health issues.

1. The Employees Feel Energised

Try standing and working for a while when you are tired and lazy. You notice a distinct change. Your body feels energised, and you are more alert and awake. 

2. The Employees Feel Comfortable

Your team has the comfort level to work in the position they feel like. Plus, when they stand up and work, they bend knees frequently, shift body weights for leg comforts, stretch their backs, and exercise their necks. This observation is not rocket science. It is just that when a human is standing, they tend to relax and stretch their body more than they do while sitting. 

3. The Truth About Blood Circulation

We all know that walking is an excellent exercise for blood circulation. But what about standing? Well, standing for some hours and proper shifting of body weights on either leg at regular intervals is also good for blood circulation. And as stated above, a person unknowingly relaxes their body more while standing; hence that is the best thing to increase blood flow to the brain.

And as science says, blood flow in the brain enhances critical thinking and problem-solving and makes the brain more active.

So, Now You Know It. 

We want to give you a small tip: try incorporating standing postures in daily tasks before investing in the furniture, and you will notice the difference. For example, conduct meetings and have daily discussions or morning meetings without using chairs. This will help you see the difference between participation while sitting and standing and then go ahead with the furniture investment.

After all, Lou Holtz has quoted, “It’s not the load that breaks you, it’s how you carry it.”

Thus, we can only answer the “how” by providing a flexible workplace. So this leaves employees to maintain correct posture, be productive, and love their work!

The most important asset for an organization are their employees. A healthy team results in a healthy and productive work environment. Occupational Health should be religiously promoted and maintained within the highest degree of physical and mental wellbeing of workers.