One of the benefits of our monthly newsletter is to give you a glimpse inside our life here at IRN. It is a part of our company’s culture to be enthusiastic about general health and well being.
Along those lines, some of us really enjoy standing while we work. While some of us have permanent standing desks others have desks that convert from sitting to standing.
It is getting more and more popular to chose to stand. Varidesk, a maker of sit-to-stand desks, has grown from one employee to more than 200 in less than five years. Standing is said to increase your sense of well being and energy while decreasing fatigue and appetite. The internet says standing can improve your posture and reduce eye strain. Aside from the postural benefits, standing benefits collaboration in team environments. People are more likely to gather around someone who’s standing, than someone who’s sitting. Standing seems to appear more open and approachable, sitting comes off as more private. And lets not forget that if you are standing up occasionally, your butt won’t get so sweaty.
Some studies suggest sitting too much is related to cancer, obesity, heart disease and diabetes. It has been hinted at that sitting “is the new smoking”. However standing all day is no better. According to a study done at Cornell University standing too much can compress the spine and lead to lower back problems over time. It can also boost your risk for varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis and other cardiovascular problems since the heart has to work against gravity to keep blood flowing up from your toes. Too much of anything is bad for your body, whether that’s standing or sitting.
Our bodies seem to do best in changing situations rather than being static. The key is balance.
