Standing Desks are integral to work-productivity because they keep employees fit, healthy, and happy. Office ergonomics personified. 

Working while standing is a vintage technique to attain productivity. And it continues to rule the roost even today. That’s why whoever invented the standing desk deserves a mountain of accolades. While that arguably remains a mystery, here’s a timeless quote about the standing desk.

Job Orton, in a letter dated July 5th ,1777, said: “I am concerned, lest you should injure your health by too close an application to your studies. Walk out often; and when you write or read, be sure to keep yourself in as upright a posture as you can. Write upon an inclined plane; but a standing desk is best. Nothing is more injurious to the health of young divines and students, than stooping.”

Well, a standing desk has been used by legendary writers as well. Charles Dickens was very fond of it. A visitor to his workplace is known to have said: “Books all round, up to the ceiling and down to the ground; a standing desk at which he writes; and all manner of comfortable easy chairs.” Advance to the 20th Century and we had a maverick of a writer in Ernest Hemingway, who loved the standing desk as well. His biographer has been quoted as saying: “He never worked at the desk. Instead, he used a stand-up workplace (standing desk) he had fashioned out of a bookcase near his bed.”

About Lewis Carroll, his biographer Morton N. Cohen, said: “Standing at the upright desk (standing desk) he always used while writing, he managed to breathe life and laughter onto the dry leaves of paper that lay before him.” The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, in a letter to his sister, said: “I am writing this at my standing desk; my standing desk is against the window, and the window offers a pleasant prospect over the lime trees and the sun-bathed hills.”

What do the current corporate heavyweights feel about the standing desk?

The standing desk has been unequivocally endorsed by the modern business honchos, CEOs, and managers. The most iconic of these endorsements came from Tim Cook, CEO, Apple Inc. Cook was quoted as saying: “We have given all of our employees, 100%, standing desks. If you can stand for a while, then sit, and so on and so forth, it’s much better for your lifestyle.” Well, this is a huge recommendation of the standing desk, and it should be taken seriously by all the employers and even work-from-home-office (WFH) specialists.

According to Bryan Clayton, CEO, GreenPal : “The thing I love most about my standing desk is it actually gets me out of the office earlier every day. Standing while at work makes me focus, get more stuff done in less time, and wastes less time lounging around in my office chair”. Meanwhile Christie M. Summervill, CEO, Balanced Comp, has been quoted as saying: “I feel it is the least I can do to take care of myself to provide a standing desk. Also, when I am speaking to a client on the phone or hosting a webinar, I feel I’m projecting more professionally to a group.”

What are the benefits of using a standing desk?

An ergonomically designed standing desk is instrumental in bringing working professionals back into productive mode. A standing desk is designed in such a way that it keeps the posture in the natural “S” shape and also eradicates back pains. By providing these twin benefits, a standing desk uplifts mood and productivity. Let’s look at some of the major benefits of using a standing ergonomic table.

•  Good Posture
The prime benefit of using a standing desk is posture improvement. A standing desk is highly adjustable, which means that it can easily be adjusted according to the varied body shapes and sizes, and heights of working professionals. Well, since a bad posture or a slouch is prevalent even among home-office (WFH) specialists, a standing desk comes equally handy here as well. Good posture boosts confidence, mood, and productivity. Hence, a standing desk has become synonymous with an upright stance.

•  Eradication of Back Pains
A standing desk keeps the lower back (lumbar) in the ideal position thereby eradicating back pains. Sadly, many working professionals (including WFH employees) quiver under back pains. Since there’s a limit to which the body can sustain the adverse effects of medicinal overdose, a standing desk remains the only solution to counter backaches. In fact, standing desks are highly recommended by medical experts such as orthopaedists. And that’s why, standing desks have made their way to hospitals as well. Overworked medical professionals avail the benefits of standing desks in decent chunks.

•  Health, Fitness, Good Mood, and Productivity
A standing desk plays a major role in keeping working professionals (including WFH experts) fit and healthy. Notably, it’s a well-established fact that working while standing burns more calories – something that a standing desk is famous for. Standing desk is a real comfort for the workplace which easily allow the working person to switch the working position between standing and sit. Secondly, while working at a standing desk, people are able to alternate between sitting and standing at regular intervals. This keeps them highly active and engaged. Consequently, working professionals who use a standing desk are able to ward-off ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac arrests. Working at a standing desk also helps in tackling depression and anxiety. All these factors combined result in high productivity.

•  Aesthetic Enhancement
Standing desks look utterly pleasing on the eye because they come in elegant themes, colors, and hues. Therefore, by adding standing desks to the workplace (including home-offices) you are bringing in an element of aesthetic appeal. Interior designers highly appreciate this aspect of the standing desk.

•  Savings and Returns on Investment (ROI)
Ergonomically designed sit and stand desks foster savings and ROI in a multi-pronged way. Firstly, they nullify medical expenses. Secondly, they negate office furniture replacement costs. And thirdly, they save repairs and maintenance bills – they are durable and long lasting. Therefore, the money saved can be redirected towards ‘Retained Earnings’, better investments, and employee benefits.

•  Benefits of a Bamboo Standing Desk
A bamboo standing desk comes with some additional benefits as compared with a regular one.

1. Eco-friendliness
2. Lightweight
3. Durability
4. Ease of cleaning
5. Programming Unit (in a bamboo electric standing desk)  

Owing to these benefits, bamboo standing desks are becoming highly popular among employers and working professionals (including home-office workers). Apart from working professionals, these desks also convey a sense of compassion for the bamboo cultivators. Ergonomic furniture manufacturers (only the reputed brands) are highly emphasizing on the proliferation of the bamboo standing desk for this particular reason.

Conclusion

We dwell in an era where competition lurks at every nook and corner. The intensity has only increased after the Covid-19 pandemic. A fit and healthy workforce has therefore become absolutely essential in these times. Moreover, corporations, be they large or small, are challenged by the proposition of sustained ROI. In fact, many companies have made the home-office their forte. Nonetheless, work-productivity is always risked by ailments. In this scenario, standing desks remain the most suitable and economically viable solution for employee welfare. There’s no way ahead without standing desks.