Kitting Out Your Home Office: Desks

A lot of jobs today require some form of administration. As a result, employees must work at a desk to complete their tasks, whether this is at home or in the office. However, sitting at a desk for long periods of time is not necessarily good for you. It can lead to muscle pain and joint stiffness. As a way to combat this, standing desks were invented. The question is, are they better, and how do you decide which one is right for you? Let’s explore your options.

Sitting Desks

Sitting desks need no explanation because they tend to be the standard, meaning that most people are familiar with them. Traditional desks may be more comfortable because they offer users the opportunity to recline and work from a sitting position. As mentioned, they are also the standard, which means that they don’t get used to most people working at desks from a young age. They also tend to be more accessible and inclusive because almost anyone can use a sitting desk regardless of their level of mobility.

They do come with their cons, though. Sitting down at a desk for long periods can be terrible for your posture and your spine health. Some people believe that sitting for too long breeds feelings of fatigue and lethargy. Being sedent for long periods can also have a profound effect on your health too. This may be remedied by doing a few exercises at your desk throughout your day.

Standing Desks

A standing desk is pretty straightforward for those who don’t know; it is a higher-up desk that allows you to work while standing up. Other desks take this idea further; you can also find treadmill desks that allow you to work out while getting your work done effectively. However, this won’t work for most people who need a steady hand and concentration when working.

There are some alleged benefits to standing desks. First and foremost, they are said to keep you fitter, because you burn more calories by working standing up than you would by sitting all day. Next, standing up for longer periods is also said to be better for your cardiovascular system because it encourages the blood to flow. A school of thought also maintains that working from a standing desk aids productivity because of increased blood flow to the vital organs. Finally, working at a standing desk is said to be better for your muscles and joints because they are less likely to get stiff than if you were sitting at a desk all day.

This isn’t to say that there aren’t also downsides to standing desks. Standing all day can be hard on the body. Standing allows more movement throughout the day, but standing still can be tough on the legs and feet. Limited movement in any position can lead to muscle pain or joint aches. It is also said that a standing desk is difficult to get used to. This is because sitting at a desk to work is the default position that most people are used to.

How Do I Choose?

In all honesty, the answer depends entirely on you and your preference. There are pros and cons to both. If you are struggling to choose between the two, there is actually a compromise. You could opt for an adjustable desk. These types of desks, like the standing desks available from Branch, allow you to use them as both a sitting and a standing desk, meaning that you get the best of both worlds. You can try out each method to find which one works for you.

Once you have a desk, you also need to think about what type of chair you will use. A lot of people go for fashion over function, choosing a chair that matches their décor. This is not the best practice. Most people will be sitting in their chairs for at least a few hours of their day. This is more than enough time to damage your spine, joints, and muscles if you have chosen the wrong chair. You need to consider your needs and look for an ergonomic chair that is designed to support the body. It can make a huge difference. If you want to get an adjustable desk, then you also need a chair that is easily relocated, or in other words, a wheelie chair. Keep this in mind when weighing up your options.

The Bottom Line

There are benefits to both standing and sitting desks, which is why an adjustable desk makes the most sense for those who want to explore their options. If your concern is your health, then there are also a number of things that you can do to improve your fitness while working. A lot of people think that working in an office job is synonymous with being lazy, but it doesn’t have to be.