For a Longer Life, I Choose to Stand
About six months ago, I made a major change in my work life that has improved my health, happiness and productivity more than just about any lifestyle or dietary change ever has. I stopped sitting at a desk!
What first got me interested in getting rid of my chair was lower back pain. I realized that the more time I spent sitting, the more my back hurt. Then I read about a study done by the American Cancer Society that tracked 123,000 Americans for 14 years and found that the death rate for men who spent six or more hours a day sitting was 18% higher than that of men who sat for three hours or less per day. For women, the increase in risk was more than double at 37%! Also interesting was that even among those who exercised regularly, the risk associated was the same. So even though I exercise all the time, this apparently offered me no protection. In addition to this study, several previous studies have shown similar dangers associated with sitting too much.
The more research I did, the more convinced I was of the potential benefits of working standing up. I found no shortage of research studies and individual accounts claiming benefits such as increased mental acuity and better focus, lower blood pressure, better digestion, increased calories burn and, most compelling of all for me, decreased back pain. I decided that I would give it a try.
You can purchase a desk specifically designed for standing, but I decided to forgo the fancy desk (which can run from $1,000 – $2,000) and improvise until I had decided that I was committed to the idea of standing up all day. I simply put cinder blocks under each corner of my desk to elevate it to level at which I could comfortable stand and work at my computer. (It helped that my desk has adjustable legs, which enabled me to get it to exactly the right height for me.) Ikea also has some affordable computer workstations that are adjustable in height. I also purchased a gel mat to stand on, and a high stool to sit on for brief periods of no more than 10 minutes at a time.
The verdict? I love standing while I work. It certainly takes a little getting used to, but the improvements in my overall wellbeing have been nothing short of amazing. I have never felt better! My back feels great and I have more energy throughout the day. I am more alert and am actually less fatigued at the end of the day. I’ve also found that I generally enjoy my workday more.
It seems obvious to me now that the human body is designed to stand, not sit. Not only does standing improve longevity, but it also comes with a long list of other benefits, many of which you start feeling immediately.
I will never ever go back to sitting at work if I don’t have to, and I would recommend that anyone who is able do the same. If you sit all day at a computer, I encourage you to stand up for your right to live a long, healthy life! At the very least, give it a try. And if you have questions about how to get started, please feel free to post them below!
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