Standing desks are trending in more Victorian workplaces as a way to get us moving. But does this mean we should all be ditching the office chair in favour of standing? We had a chat to a researcher to find out more.
What’s wrong with sitting?
The average Australian spends a third of their day at work, and for many office workers this is time spent glued to a chair. People who sit for more than eight hours in a day have a higher risk of developing heart disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer.
In what ways can standing desks help?
It’s recommended that we don't sit for more than 20 or 30 minutes at a time without having a standing break.
Standing desks, or sit-stand working stations, are one of the techniques that workplaces may use to help. They have been proven to reduce daily sitting time, without impacting on productivity.
How should we be using standing desks?
They should be used together with a range of strategies to reduce sitting time and increase movement throughout the day. It’s good to change your posture regularly. So, sit for a while, then stand, then sit, then take a short walking break.
What are the other ways that people can move more?
There are a number of ways to work some extra physical activity into your working day: take the stairs instead of the lift; schedule in a lunch-time walk a few times a week; get off the bus or park your car a few blocks further than usual to increase your daily step count; try a walking meeting if there's only a small group.
How can workplaces create a culture of movement?
Creating a culture of movement requires more than just standing desks. Your commitment to get people moving should be included in your organisation’s policies and be promoted and role-modelled by leaders and managers.
What resources are available to help?
The "Rise and Recharge" app/website from Baker IDI is one to check out.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has a good summary page outlining ergonomic set up and tips to get the most out of sit to stand workstations.
Login to the Achievement Program workplace portal to access more resources about physical activity.