Health professionals recognise that sitting down all day can be damaging to your health. While regular stretches and walking breaks are great habits to combat the negative effects, there’s a new idea that’s steadily been gaining popularity: the sit-stand desk.

The sit-stand desk allows a transition between sitting and standing at the press of a button, giving the body a break from sitting at various intervals throughout the day.

There are a few interesting variations, such as the walking desk – a standing desk positioned over a treadmill – and a pedalling desk. These options are designed to increase circulatory health while working.

Is sitting down too much is making employees sick?

Sitting for extended periods of time can have significant effects on a person's physiology. It can harm the organs, muscles and circulatory system, causing weak bones, undeveloped abs and glutes, heart disease and a bad back.

It can also negatively affect your state of mind, lowering circulation to the brain required to keep it oxygenated and chemically balanced. Have a look at this Washington infographic to get a better idea of how your chair is impacting your health.

However research also showed that having the option to stand didn’t significantly decrease the amount of sitting, reducing it on average by only 30 minutes to two hours per day. This was found even when employees were prompted with software or given training.

Getting the office on their feet

The key to success with a sit-stand desk is participation; if a worker is committed to using it regularly, the musculoskeletal benefits can be high and the impacts of sitting can be mitigated.

Before buying everyone a brand new sit-stand desk, consider some alternatives:

1. A pod of sit-stand desks in a designated area
2. Portable sit-stand desk tops designed to go over your current desk, and can be adjusted up or down
3. An articulated arm that's designed to clamp onto the existing desktop and attaches to your monitor and keyboard, lifting it up and down.

This could allow the company, and those interested in using them, the ability to test the concept before making further financial commitments.

Are standing desks the only healthy option?

There are a range of alternatives to-sit-stand desks that can reduce the time spent sitting and improve health for an employee:

1. Regular breaks, where an employee goes for a walk or does some stretches, can improve health outcomes, as well as productivity and focus
2. Stretching in-between work tasks, focusing on the core, arms, shoulders and hands, can improve circulation and physical wellbeing
3. Offering in-house exercise can give employees a break from their desks, help them keep fit, and give them an endorphin rush to boot.

If you want to discuss strategies to ensure you’re doing the best by your workforce, Gallagher Bassett can help make sure you’re managing your liabilities and keeping your workforce healthy and happy.