We’re told that sitting isn’t great for us, but is standing all day really better? Is it worth it to have your usual desk replaced with a standing desk? If you’re required to stand in one place for hours on end at your job, are you getting any more benefit than being seated on a couch?
We all know that exercise is good for us. The image of the desk job is typically considered to be one of the least healthy lifestyles. The average healthy adult is supposed to get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week to remain healthy and improve longevity. This is the official national guideline for the United States to reduce the risk of a large number of diseases.
Is Standing All Day Any Better?
If you were to follow the recommendation, you’ll be getting about thirty minutes of exercise each day. That should help you to reduce your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes and to manage your weight. That said, does standing all day count? Is it better than sitting, at least?
A typical office worker will spend between 10 and 11 hours at a desk every day. Sitting or standing, that is an extremely long period of time in which to do the same thing. It is contributing to the high rate of obesity, high cholesterol and heart disease across the country.
New studies are suggesting that the difference between sitting still and standing still isn’t huge. In fact, many people find that if they are standing all day in one position, they experience the same number of types of pain as people who sit. They feel pain in their knees, ankles, hips and other joints, as well as lower back pain. These are all common complaints among people who sit all day.
The Difference When You’re Standing All Day
The difference standing all day can make is that you are more likely to move. People who are sitting at their desks are more likely to keep sitting. Getting up is a nuisance, particularly if you’re lost in your work or if you feel comfortable. Consider when there is something just out of your reach. You’d rather stretch as far as you possibly can than actually stand up and easily pick up the item.
People who are standing all day are more likely to walk short distances to get something. They’re also more likely to move around a room, pace while thinking, or simply shift from one foot to the other. The difference isn’t huge, but over time it is typically seen as better than sitting…just don’t count it as your 30 minutes of exercise!