What is Sitting Disease?

Sitting Disease is just an idiom doctors use to symbolize the ill effects of leading a sedentary life. Humans are designed to move a good portion of the day. Studies show that extended periods of inactivity drastically increases your risk of contracting serious medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and more.

what can you do?

While your daily routine provides numerous opportunities to remain stationary, it is important to get up and move; a body in motion stays in motion. One of the easiest ways to incorporate more movement into your daily routine is to work standing up for at least 10 minutes every hour. In addition to standing while working, there are a number of things you can do to incorporate more activity into your daily routine, including:

• Stretch – take time to stretch at your desk or even do a few light exercises.
• Walk – walk during your 15-minute breaks, during your lunch, start a walking club with, or even schedule walking meetings.
• Avoid email when possible – It’s obviously not realistic to handle all business face-to-face, but take time everyday to drop by a co-worker’s desk to personally deliver a message or ask a question.
• Revise your commute – if you take a car, opt for public transit a few days each week. If the weather is nice, get off a stop or two early so you can walk the rest of the way to work.
• Turn off the TV – seriously, how much TV do you need anyway? Instead of flopping on the couch to watch another reality show, take a brisk walk outside or put an exercise video on. If you must watch TV, try riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill during your favorite programs.

Leading a sedentary lifestyle is dangerous to your health and a surefire way to increase your risk of facing serious medical complications as you age. In addition to eating healthy and exercising regularly, standing at work can make a huge difference in your daily activity level. Using a dynamic workstation, you can seamlessly switch between a seated and standing posture during your workday. Visit our online catalog to find the dynamic workstation that is right for you so you can begin incorporating the practice of standing while working into your daily routine.

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Researchers conducted a study to see if there is a link between working in a traditional office environment and an increased risk of heart failure. Following 82,000 men, ages 45 to 69, over 10 years led to the conclusion that men who don’t exercise regularly and whose jobs require them to sit for five or more hours per day are twice as likely to develop heart failure than their more active counterparts.

What is heart failure?

Heart failure occurs when your heart muscle is no longer able to efficiently and effectively pump blood through your body. Unlike an acute attack, which causes the heart to stop beating, heart failure is a drawn-out process whose victims experience continually diminished quality of life over an extended period of time.

What does my job have to do with it?

Most Americans are stuck behind a desk for upwards of 9 hours each day. This sedentary behavior puts you at risk of developing serious medical conditions like high blood pressure, decreased circulation, and obesity; all factors directly linked to heart failure.

Avoid becoming a statistic

To avoid becoming a statistic, researchers recommend standing at least 10 minutes every hour. The easiest way to accomplish this without interrupting your workday is with a standing desk by Xdesk. With the click of a button, you can transform your traditional seated desk into a standing model. Conversely, when you’ve fulfilled your standing goal, you can easily convert back to a seated arrangement with the click of a button.

In addition to incorporating the practice of standing while working into your daily routine, be sure to build active time into your schedule as well. Simple actions like taking time to stretch at your desk or going for a stroll around your corporate campus can make a tremendous difference in your overall health and wellbeing. Take getting moving a step further by scheduling walk and talk meetings instead of flopping down in chairs in your favorite meeting room.

While our culture is one that revolves around seated tasks, it’s your responsibility to challenge those norms. Standing at least 10 minutes every hour and consciously adding more activity to your workday can significantly reduce your risk of heart failure. If you’re struggling finding additional ways to increase your activity level at work, Rutgers University has some great tips to keep you active and reduce your risk of heart failure.

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Besides poor health, sitting also causes cankles! When you sit, blood is unable to effectively pump from the legs back to the heart, creating high pressure in the veins in the lower legs and feet. This pressure may leak into tissues and cause inflammation. Extended sitting can cause the problem to escalate, with hardened skin, leg ulcers and brown stains on the lower extremities. What’s worse, the decreased circulation in the legs can raise the risk of blood clots.

Raised blood sugar is another negative health effects of sitting too long. Insulin resistance is a step before type 2 diabetes. Insulin helps regulate glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream, and the muscles in turn store the sugar. When the muscles aren’t moving, they become less skilful at absorbing glucose from the bloodstream and actually become insulin-resistant.

This resistance can happen after just one day of prolonged sitting, according to a study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. But making small, consistent movements like sitting and standing throughout the day can help lessen the risk.

You may not be aware, but immobility has the potential to cause constipation—yikes! As you sit, the body has fewer contractions that push along the contents of the gut, which causes the bowel to become dry. Low impact exercise is a sure cure for lowering this risk, like taking the stairs or walking around the block during lunch.

A sedentary lifestyle also causes heartburn. Not moving after lunch causes the stomach to empty slower and produce more acid to aid in digestion. The acidity leads to a burning sensation in your chest and mouth, so don’t forget to stand and move after a meal.

Migraines and decreased cognitive function are other negative effects of prolonged sitting. Hunching at your desk causes the neck to strain backwards as you stare at the computer screen. This in turn affects the nerves in the neck, which can result in a severe headache. Moving muscles encourage good blood flow throughout the body and to the brain. So if you’re moving regularly, you’re getting enough blood and oxygen to the brain, to boost overall brain function.

This last fact is surprising, but a sedentary lifestyle causes joint and muscle pain. Prolonged sitting leads to obesity and a large body mass creates pressure on the joints, and weak muscles from lack of use. Some studies claim that muscle weakness leads to osteoarthritis in the knees, since the knee wasn’t meant to be bent in a sitting angle all day.

See the full article, here.

The post The Daily Mail’s Negative Health Effects of Sitting appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

It’s High-Tech
This isn’t your average standup desk. A state-of-the-art lift system is all controlled by an advanced microprocessor. The controller has a digital LED display with three programmable memory settings so you can customize your standing and sitting heights. The Xdesk uses a chain drive system with dual (or quad – depending on the model) 18 volt DC motors that seamlessly transition. And it’s all completely hidden inside the lift columns, so you’ll never see an exposed gear, motor or wire.

It Has Options
Our standup desks feature choices that fit multiple users. The main thing to remember about the Xdesk is its drive to encourage clean lines, perfect ergonomics, and practically zero clutter. The available options fit those criteria. A Vanity Cover hides all computer cables and wires, while a Power Management System protects your precious equipment. The NextSpace Keyboard Platforms helps you find the best ergonomic position for your wrists and arms, and the Ergonomic Monitor Arms allow you to freely adjust your computer screen(s).

It Benefits the Planet
These standup desks never use laminates or MDF in their materials. Instead, Xdesk has chosen to use only sustainable materials like natural bamboo and recycled aluminum. The desk never has solvent-based paints or additives that can harm you and the environment. And it’s made right here in the U.S.

You’ll Be More Productive
While you stand, you can move from side to side, fidget, and bend your knees. Movement is a powerful thing, not only for health but also for concentration. Studies show that the ability to move freely actually leads to better focus. Focus ultimately leads to productivity—and that’s something we can all understand. What’s more, you’ll discover a totally new energy boost in the afternoon, when most workers are tired and hunched over their computers.

You Need the Right Footwear
Leave the uncomfortable dress shoes or heels at the door, and switch to something that’s more comfortable (but not necessarily less attractive). Standing long hours can be hard on your joints and back, so you’ll need the proper support to fully reap the benefits of our stand up desk.

You Don’t Have to Stand All Day
A shocking point, but it’s true! You don’t have to stand all day behind your Xdesk. Instead, Xdesk gives you the flexibility to sit and stand as you please. Stand for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or sit for 45. However you choose to move throughout the day, Xdesk gives you the freedom to do it. And with more than 200 positions, chances are you’re going to find the right height for you.

The post Facts You Need to Know About Using A Standup Desk appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

To re-inspire your drive to stand most of the day, here’s a list of the top 10 sitting and standing facts. After reading through these, you may find yourself adjusting your desk and standing more often.

1. One in three Americans is obese, and obese people sit more than 2.5 hours per day than thin people.

2. The bodies calorie burning ability drops to 1 per minute and electrical activity in the leg muscles shut off the moment you sit down.

3. Men and women who sit for more than 23 hours a week are 64% more likely to die from heart disease.

4. Thirty minutes to an hour of daily exercise is not enough to counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting.

5. Good cholesterol drops by 20% after just two hours of sitting down.

6. A study published by the CDC found that sit to stand devices are an effective method to generate health benefits and combat the negative effects of sitting all day.

7. Standing the majority of the day has been said to increase concentration, focus and overall productivity at the office.

8. A study from the University of Chester found that standing during the week can be the equivalent to running 10 marathons a year.

9. Standing for most of the day has the potential to burn 30,000 more calories in a year. That’s about eight pounds of fat.

10. Regular, brisk walking can help prevent heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

The facts continue to go on from here, and we’re sure there will be more to come. So keep standing, moving and stretching throughout your workday to start experiencing better health that you deserve!

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The health study went on to reveal that even women who exercised regularly were at risk of early death if they spent most of the day sitting. More than 11 hours of daily sitting or sedentary time led to a 12 percent increase in premature mortality – this may seem like a small amount, but the sedentary group also experienced an increase of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and cancer by 13, 27 and 21 percent.

The nutritional scientist who led the health study reported that being physically fit and active every day was not enough to protect women from the negative health effects of sitting.

Sitting for a longer period of time made it harder for women to regain their physical strength. Women started to lose muscle mass at age 35, which led to an earlier onset of menopause. Daily exercise is ideal to keep the risk at bay, but more movement throughout a women’s day is key to maintaining health.

“In general, a use it or lose it philosophy applies,” the nutritional scientist said. “We have a lot of modern conveniences and technologies that, while making us more efficient, also lead to decreased activity and diminished ability to do things. Women need to find ways to remain active.”

Women with desk jobs aren’t getting the amount of movement they need to stay active during the day, but middle aged women and younger should start adopting changes to make a difference.

The scientist recommended getting up and moving around frequently at the office, and to take breaks between computer and reading time. She suggested retired women should find time to move around inside and outside the house.

“Some earlier studies found a more dramatic effect on mortality risk from [sitting] time, and others are similar to our findings,” she said. “Collectively, this adds to the growing body of research linking inactivity to poor health outcomes.”

Beyond linking sitting time with poor health, this is one of the largest and most ethnically diverse health studies of its type. The women ranged in ages of 50 to 79, and were observed for over 12 or more years.

See the full article from the Cornell Chronicle, HERE.

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To make the switch to an adjustable desk a bit easier, follow these simple steps to start standing full time:

1. Transition Your Chair
Before you ditch your office chair, hold it! Making the switch to a standing desk is all about timing. There are numerous studies that show how bad sitting is for your health, but standing during the entire work day isn’t ideal. Instead of throwing out your chair altogether, make it a gradual process.

If you have an amazing, cushy office chair, replace it with something that isn’t as comfortable – so you’ll want to stand and stretch every so often. Once you’ve graduated to standing, remove the office chair and replace it with a stool, only to rest your legs and feet while you’re making the complete transition to standing.

We know how someone can develop a love affair with his or her comfy chair, but it’s time to end the relationship and move on. If you can’t bear to see it go, take it home to relax in after a long, productive day of standing.

2. Wear the Appropriate Shoes
If you stand all day once your desk is assembled, your feet and legs will take notice. To combat this problem, make sure to wear comfy shoes while standing behind your adjustable height desk.

Don’t worry about having to sacrifice for fashion – if sneakers simply won’t work with office attire, just keep them in your office to change into once you feel your feet start to ache. Sneakers are even more important if you invest in a treadmill desk, no one wants to be the guy or girl with an injury from tripping over their shoes while walking!

3. Use a Floor Mat
Think about adding in extra comfortable accessories when you switch to a standing desk. A floor mat is a great option, since it cushions your feet and offers support. The type and brand depend on you and your budget, as some can get pretty expensive. The GelPro mats are a place to start. You may not want to go back to anything else once your feet rest on this gel-filled beauty.

4. Start Slow
As mentioned, starting gradually is the key to switch to a standing desk full time. Once your office chair and mat are in place, stand for 15 minute intervals and sit for 30. When you’re ready, switch to standing 30 minutes and take a break every 15. The constant shift may seem unnatural at first, but pretty soon it’ll be a normal reflex.

To help move things along, set a timer on your phone or computer to remind you to stand. Once standing at your adjustable height desk becomes easier, set higher goals. Stand for an hour, or sit down after you finish a lengthy task.

5. Standing Full Time
If you start slow, one day you may find yourself standing the entire work day! Those days will continue to increase the more you make gradual transitions at your adjustable height desk. After you’ve switched to standing the entire work day, you’ll notice better productivity and less fatigue.

While standing full time, focus on your posture, keep your shoulders back and feet shoulder width apart. Along with posture, position your arms at a 90 degree angle when typing. The NextSpace Ergonomic Keyboard Platform will help with this, since it adjusts and swivels according to the user’s needs. And your computer screen should remain at eye level between 20 and 40 inches away from your eyes (to help prevent eyestrain).

The post Switch to a Standing Desk in 5 Steps appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

The teacher’s wanted to allow students greater flexibility and mobility in the classroom. The small private school is comparative to an elementary school and strongly promotes the health and well-being of students.

The school director has a stability ball and a standing desk in her own office, and decided to promote this idea in the classroom. She firmly believes that using nontraditional classroom equipment can increase a student’s overall focus for a better learning experience.

“It’s more natural for students to move,” she said. “Having them stay still has a negative impact on learning.”

Nontraditional classroom equipment, like an adjustable height desk and a stability ball, results in new rules and regulations. The students were taught how to use the equipment safely, and had to sign a contract that promised to follow safety guidelines. Their parents were also included in the transition, and offered information on the health benefits of using a standing desk and nontraditional chair.

On parent was so pleased with the results that he bought two stability balls for him and his son to use at home. The teachers also reported fewer disciplinary issues in class. “The stability balls have made such a positive difference in class,” said a fourth grade teacher. “I’ve never had such a quiet, hardworking math class.”

The stability ball didn’t get all the credit, an adjustable height desk showed to have positive benefits on students’ concentration. One teacher was skeptical about incorporating a standing desk in her classroom, but she quickly converted once one student, who usually had trouble concentrating and remaining on task, was able to work through an entire class period behind the desk.

The student, who didn’t disrupt the classroom once, also turned in quality work when the class period was finished. The teacher was so impressed that she decided to order more standing desks for her students to use.

This isn’t the first school to use a standing desk or nontraditional desk chair in the classroom. Last February we touched on a study of a first-grade classroom in Texas that was equipped with adjustable height desks. The students used a stool instead of a stability ball, so they could sit and stand as needed.

After six weeks into the study, 70 percent of the students never used the stool during the day, with 30 percent standing the majority of the time behind the standing desk. The study went on to reveal that overweight students who stood the majority of the day increased calorie burn by 32 percent!

With childhood obesity and ADHD diagnosis on the rise, it’s no wonder schools are searching for new and improved ways to promote a child’s well-being and increase focus at the same time. Whether it’s a standing desk or a desk used with a stability ball, it’s becoming more and more apparent that children need the flexibility to move throughout the day for a better learning environment.

via The Messenger-Gazette

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To follow up with Wednesday’s post on creating a home office space, we’ll show you how to stay productive while working from home now that your home office is in working order.

As previously mentioned, it’s imperative to have a separate space dedicated to work. You may not have to leave the house, but working from home doesn’t mean staying in your pajamas and sitting in front of the TV with your laptop. Essentially, a separate space allows you to “go to work” in an area that’s free from distraction.

An adjustable height desk can be a beneficial accessory to working from home. With all the recent studies showing that standing increases productivity and concentration, you know it has the same effect in a home office.

Adjustable height desks give you the flexibility to move around, so you can remain focused while working from home. And there are plenty of options to customize your desk to fit your home office, even if you have a limited amount of space.

Once your home office is complete, you should set clear boundaries for yourself and other members of the household. Clearly communicate to others what you need to stay productive while working from home, whether that means a quiet environment or heading to your office and shutting the door.

If you don’t have the luxury of a separate room, choose an area of the living room to set up a desk and all the necessary equipment you’ll need. It may be tough, but keep the TV off and refrain from doing household chores while working from home. Which brings us to the next point – set regular work hours.

Treat working from home the same as working in an office – take breaks, or have an hour for lunch, and quit around the same time as office workers head out for the day. The other members of your household should respect your work hours, and pretend that you’re not there unless it’s an emergency.

And, getting dressed really does make a difference in productivity. You wouldn’t head to the office in your pajamas, so don’t allow your self to stay in your PJ’s all day while working from home. Remember – dress for success!

Working from home can seem like a luxury to office workers who suffer the daily grind, but it may not be as easy as you think. Household distractions are everywhere, and at-home workers have to learn how to change their mindset and be more of a self-starter while working from home.

Are you working from home? What are some of your tricks to stay productive?

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Did you know that not only is caffeine addictive, but also can increase your risk of insomnia, stroke and heart disease? Those two or three small cups of daily coffee are doing some damage (even though it’s hazelnut-flavored and unsweetened).

The expensive Columbian beans you invested in were probably exposed to pesticides that contribute to cancer. Research shows that coffee can combine toxic substances in your body and make you at risk of fluid loss, high cholesterol and contribute to diabetes. And we won’t even get started on energy drinks.

Beyond basic health concerns, caffeine affects your mood and your memory. When you couldn’t remember how to adjust your keyboard tray, or worse, you forgot that important meeting, caffeine could have been the culprit. Caffeine also causes mood swings. You may feel giddy and focused after finishing that third soda, but get ready to crash when you realize you’ve cleaned your entire office instead of written that report.

Yes, we know you still want to watch your cup stand still when you adjust your standing desk, but choose a healthier alternative. The feeling of caffeine is fleeting, causing people to consume more and more, but you’ll be surprised at how much more energy you’ll have once caffeine is completely eliminated from your body.

Eliminating caffeine from your diet is tough, and could cause nervousness, headaches and fatigue, so gradually cutting back is the key.

Here are a few healthier options to help you start:

Water, for one, is the substance our body craves and needs the most. Feel a headache coming on from caffeine withdrawal? Grab a bottle of water and start drinking. Better yet, grab two or three bottles. Studies show men need three liters a day while women need 2.2 liters – that’s nine to 12 cups a day.

Dehydration is the main cause of headaches, and drinking water will keep you hydrated and keep caffeine withdrawal symptoms at bay (you’ll also save on pain medication).

If you really need a fix of your favorite roasted pecan blend or ice-cold caffeinated soda, try the decaf version. It may not be as exciting since you aren’t getting the same effect, but it will taste great and can trick your body into that caffeine happy place.

Herbal tea is delicious and most don’t contain caffeine. There are numerous benefits of drinking herbal tea. Ginger tea aides nausea or an upset stomach, and rosehip tea is a great source of vitamin C. There are even types of herbal teas that will increase your energy – something we all need during a long day at the office.

Check out these herbal tea energy boost options HERE.

And as always, when you’re feeling sluggish from the lack of caffeine, put your desk in gear and stand up! Standing increases blood flow to get your mind and body working, and it will get you out of a rut.

Challenge yourself and drink less caffeine this week. And let us know how it works!

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