Do you sit for long hours at the office as you work on your computer? Do you spend a significant amount of time watching TV or playing games on your PC? Beware of the many risks that a sedentary lifestyle poses, primary of which is poor posture. Consider moving more—consider a standing desk.
A sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle characterized by very small amounts of movement in a day. The rise of the television and the internet has contributed to this lifestyle becoming widespread among different types of individuals. Nowadays, many of people’s activities are characterized by sitting and being glued to the computer for long periods of time. And, this has created a big percentage of unhealthy population suffering from chronic diseases and other debilitating conditions.
Some of the first symptoms of a sedentary lifestyle are poor posture and back pain. And while exercise can help make you more active, the best solution appears to be natural daily movement. At work, a standing desk is a highly effective furniture for addressing poor posture, among which are the following:
Forward Head Posture
This posture is characterized by the head jutting forward from its neutral position. Your body is supported by what is called vertical midline, and good posture is characterized by having your ears and shoulders properly aligned with the vertical midline. However, when you find yourself usually looking down for extended periods, when you look down at your screen whenever you browse your phone or on a book when you read for hours, with your head tilted forward, this type of poor posture is the result. And, it can lead to neck pain, headaches, and increased strain on the neck and upper back muscles.
This type of posture is also called Turtle Neck Syndrome (bringing to mind the way a turtle’s neck and head jut out of its body), Tech Neck (because most individuals who develop this posture are those in the tech industry due to the nature of their work), or Text Neck Syndrome (since one of its main causes is texting on the phone).
Hunchback or Rounded Upper Back
Medically termed “kyphosis,” this type of posture is characterized by the extended rounding of the upper back due to various reasons. Among younger individuals, one of the top causes is prolonged sitting, especially when you forget to sit straight. It could also be due to aging as the bones weaken or due to underlying medical conditions.
This type of posture can cause strain on the muscles, leading to discomfort and possible pain.
Swayback Posture
While hunchback mainly affects the upper back, swayback affects the lower back. It is the excessive curving of the lower back due to a variety of reasons. One of these is prolonged sitting. It weakens the muscles that support your spine, causing the condition. Women who are pregnant and individuals who are overweight are also likely to suffer from this type of poor posture. This condition is also medically called “lordosis” and can lead to lower back pain.
How the Standing Desk Addresses Poor Posture
Poor posture is often developed when you stay in one position for too long, particularly sitting. A standing desk helps prevent poor posture by keeping you from staying in a sitting position for too long. What it does is it offers the healthier alternative of switching between sitting and standing every hour or so, so your back and your muscles are not locked up in a single position that can cause unnecessary strain and pressure on them.
An ergonomic electric standing desk can be easily adjusted in height. It can travel from sitting to standing height, and back, in just a matter of seconds and with just a single button press. If you are working, you can alternate between sitting and standing without getting too distracted from the work you are doing. With the constant switching between sitting and standing, your back muscles are not locked into any one position for too long, preventing the possible development of poor posture.
Get a high-quality standing desk that can be adjusted quickly and smoothly without making too much noise. With the right desk, you can stay active at work and avoid developing bad posture.