The use of a standing desk has always been linked with a wide array of benefits, most of which are physical in nature. Standing desks have been associated with alleviating the symptoms caused by back pain, as well as correcting the posture of their users. They have also been linked with reducing the risks posed by chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary problems, and certain types of cancer.
One of the most interesting benefits the standing desk is linked to is an enhanced brain function—enhanced creativity, improved critical thinking, and increased productivity in whatever task the user is engaged in. The link between the use of a standing desk and its effects on a person’s brain has been the subject of extensive research and study, and most of these studies show positive results. In one such study conducted by the British Medical Journal, it was found that standing more at work has resulted in an improvement in job performance, as well as a reduction in occupational fatigue.
It’s All About Blood Circulation
Many researches attribute the improvement in brain function when standing to the increased flow of blood to the brain. When you are seated for long hours, not moving on your chair, your heart slows down and your blood tends to pool in your lower extremities. You can imagine—the brain doesn’t get as much blood because of this.
When you alternate between sitting and standing, you constantly move. This constant movement keeps the heart beating at a healthy level, and blood continuous to circulate throughout your body. As a result, your brain gets a healthy supply, allowing it to function at an optimal level.
The Mental Benefits of a Standing Desk
The benefits of a standing desk to the brain manifests in different ways and work well for different types of mental tasks. Check out the following:
Increased Alertness
Having a keen eye for details is a skill that is crucial in many industries. If you’re an editor, you need this to catch those tiny, pesky contraction and grammar mistakes. If you’re an accountant or bookkeeper, catching that extra zero in your excel sheet can spell the difference between a clean record and a costly mistake. Keeping your brain in its optimal condition is key to keeping things in proper order and making sure no mistake escapes your notice, and the use of a standing desk can help with that.
Enhanced Creativity
Achieving the flow state—this is the goal of every individual at work. It does not only ensure that you are productive, but working in a flow state is also directly linked to a general sense of fulfillment and happiness. It doesn’t matter whether you are an artist, a craftsman, a sales worker—when you allow yourself to get fully immersed in your work, doing it with full attention and vigor, you’ll emerge from the experience deeply fulfilled. This is what makes work enjoyable and meaningful, and it turns out that using a standing desk can help bring you there.
Improved Critical Thinking
Need to finish a task that calls for a certain level of analysis? If you’ve been trying to turn an idea over in your head for a while, looking for a solution to a problem, a breakthrough in the process, to no avail—maybe it’s time to look at it from a different angle. Try a new position while working; try standing! The brain functions better while you move—remember all those times you were walking with a friend discussing a topic and ideas just seem to be flowing? Alternating between sitting and standing can also help you break free from the cycle of thought you’re in, allowing new ideas to sift through.
Hitting the Sweet Spot Between Sitting and Standing
If you want to enjoy the most benefits from the sit-stand lifestyle, there is a right way to do it—to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day. While there is a correct ratio and many people adhere to standing for 30 minutes every hour, experts also advise sitting for tasks that require the most focus and then standing for tasks that require less focus, such as when you are answering the phone, talking to someone, or maybe answering emails. This will help you reap the most benefits from the lifestyle.
And if you’re ready for a standing desk, the next step is to find the right one. Look for a high-quality electric standing desk and start building a healthier, more active, and more productive life.
