Office Epidemics: Sitting Disease

Yep. There is a thing called "sitting disease." Yep, it is a true medical issue. And yes, it has become a real office epidemic. But try not to fret too much. Sitting disease is something that's easily preventable through healthy life and working practices. In today's article, we explore the causes of, and best ways to prevent, this terrible-sounding new ailment that seems to be sweeping the nation. Don't miss out on the cure!

So What is 'Sitting Disease'?

It's really very simple actually. "Sitting disease," as it's now being referred to by medical professionals, actually refers to poor metabolic syndrome and the overall results of an excessively sedentary lifestyle. According to an article published by Mayo Clinic, 50-70 percent of people in America spend more than 6 hours per day sitting down. And when you add it all up - the hours of working at office desks, watching TV, waiting, driving in a car, and sitting down to dinner - the numbers seem pretty realistic. Unfortunately, another study by the American Cancer Society found that inactive men who just sat around for more than 6 hours 48% more likely to suffer premature death. And women got 94%.

Yikes.

So Lets Stand Up!

"Stand up against sitting disease" definitely sounds like a good motto, and it's one that medical professionals all over the country are encouraging patients to do. Believe it or not, the human body was designed much better for standing than sitting. This is partly because people who stand more tend to have stronger leg and abdominal muscles that are more adept at taking some of the body's weight off the spine and distributing it evenly, and healthily, throughout the body. When people sit down, the legs can't help support the weight of the torso anymore. In the office, people who slouch or strain forward to see a computer screen force the collapse of their abdominal muscles, so all the weight of the torso and head are left up to the poor, bent spine. Poor circulation is also a side-effect of any modern task chairs that lack ergonomic comfort. 

Naturally, the first solution is to stand up, and take a stance against sitting!

Standing At Work

For all you seated office professionals out there worried about being the cubicle meerkat, don't fret. You're not the only one. We understand that transitioning from a seated working style to a standing one is no easy task. Not only do you have to get clearance from the boss, but you also have to buy (or make) all new office equipment to help you facilitate a healthier lifestyle. However, here are a few office hacks to make the change painless!

1. Get a doctor's note. Boss can't say anything if it's a medical necessity, right?

2. Shop affordable ergonomic desks for sale from reliable dealers.

3. Invest in a cushioned foot mat, support socks, and comfortable shoes to help make the transition from a 'seated lifestyle' to a 'standing lifestyle' a bit easier on the body.

4. Try DIYing your own adjustable standing desk if you want to save money. There are tons of great tutorials online already!

The Benefits

The benefits of standing in the workplace are... outstanding! Research shows that when someone shows true initiative by training their body to prepare for a standing lifestyle, overall health improves and so do one's chances of a successful transition. Those who take the time to exercise their legs and abdomen actually prepare their bodies for when those muscles will have to work extra hard. In fact, one reason aspiring standers fail to acclimate to a standing work style is simply because they fail to realize that standing for a full workday is a workout. You have to prepare your body ahead of time to sustain that level of 'endurance standing'. 

However, those who do stand at work often report greater focus and energy. Smithsonian magazine also attributes reduced risk of obesity, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic issues, and reduced risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and reduced mortality rates to chronic standers. And all that extra physical training tends to produce much fitter, healthier bodies - always good for swimsuit season!

Sound Too Good to be True?

Well, it is. Unfortunately, all the hype about standing at work has also overturned a dark side to the task - namely, too much of it is bad for you. All those health-nuts who say "sitting is the new smoking" probably haven't tried to stand for a full workday without respite, which coincidentally, is exactly what many wannabe standers did before discovering too much of a good thing. In truth, all the health benefits attributed to standing, like reduced risk of disease, and physical fitness, are very real. But at the same time, standing continuously without breaks can wear out the legs. Standing has been known to lead to cardiovascular conditions like spider-veins, since the blood flowing down into your legs now has to strain against gravity to flow back up. As a result, many standing workers are left tired, sore, and frustrated. 

The Healthiest Solution

The best way to combat the dark sides of both standing and sitting is with a compromise. A mostly stand-up lifestyle is the best option, but don't forget to throw a few seated breaks in there. Investing in height adjustable workstations is a great way to facilitate both lifestyles. At the touch of a button, users can bring their whole desktop up for a standing session, or back down again for a seated (and still productive) break. With the ability to go from 'sit' to 'stand,' users can train their bodies to stand for longer periods of time by slowly increasing the duration of a standing session. Experts advise to supplement standing sessions with appropriate equipment, including gel mats, comfortable shoes, and compression socks. But don't forget to keep a few healthful ergo chairs around for when you truly need to take a load off your feet!

Global Total Office Introduces New Height Adjustable Desks

With the nation becoming more and more health conscious everyday, it's not surprising to read about all the new ways to stay healthy. In case you haven't heard, standing at work is the newest trend! Many Americans have discovered that there are wonderful health perks to standing throughout the day, but at a desk job, the task can seem impossible. Fortunately, Global Total Office has accommodated us with outstanding height adjustable desks!

The Benefits of Height Adjustable Desks

Height adjustable desks by themselves are great for so many reasons. For those that spend a lot of time in workshops or garages, a sturdy standing desk can be a great convenience, especially since you don't have to strain your back to work on a project. Height adjustable options, like the ones from Global, can also be a welcome relief if you've been standing all day and want to sit down. However, the most popular reason users rely on these is because adjustable ergonomic desks improve health in the workplace.

Studies show that when office workers stand for most of the day, only taking brief breaks to sit down periodically (such as during lunch), health and focus is drastically improved. Standers report that the practice does take some getting used to and requires a soft, cushy foot pad to stay comfortable. But both standers and scientists maintain that users experience more weight loss, better focus, reduced fatigue, and far less back pain than the average sitter does!

New Global Desks

To accommodate the changing needs of the workplace, the Global Total Office furniture brand has recently decided to offer some great height adjustable workstations for workshop and office use. Here are their options:

Global's first height adjustable desk option is the HTM2446. Perfect for use as a table or desk, this workstation allows users to adjust table height from a sitting to standing position. Capable of supporting up to 100 lbs. the HTM2446 is sturdy and versatile. With a height adjustment between 24" to 46," use it in a workshop or in an office. Global has even allowed shoppers their choice of ten laminate finishes to better match existing decor.

Next up is the HTM3058 model height adjustable workstation. Very similar in overall design to the HTM2446 model workstation seen above, the main difference between the two is size. Because the HTM3058 model is larger, it is ideal for any office or workshop that has a little more square footage to spare. Still capable of supporting up to 100 lbs. and offered in ten gorgeous laminate finishes, it's no surprise that this model makes an excellent standing office desk for a reasonable price.

While our first two models featured above could be ideal for a workstation, this next model comes highly recommended for the office. The HE3048MS is an electric workstation with height adjustment is both functional and sustainable! Not only can it hold its own against others by supporting up to 160 lbs, but it's also Greenguard Certified for minimal environmental impact. The height is easily adjusted through a high tech "fingertip controlled 3-position programmable switch," rather than a labor intensive crank or lever. Height adjusts between 26.5" and 43" to easily maneuver between a sitting and standing position. (And the keyboard shelf is also a cool plus!)

And finally, we leave you with the best option possible for use in an office environment. The HE4824MSC Sit to Stand Workstation by Global combines all the usefulness of a spacious corner desk with the health benefits of a height adjustable workstation. Easily adjusted by a three position programmable switch, the HE4824MSC desk is super user friendly. Shoppers can choose from ten gorgeous finishes, including Avant Cherry, Storm Gray, or even Tiger Mahogany. Best of all, the desk ships assembled so all users have to do is plug it in and work their way to a healthier lifestyle!