Is standing at your desk actually better than sitting? Here’s what the evidence says
In modern life, many of us spend the majority of our waking hours sitting. A recent review of the research has reiterated the harmful health impacts of prolonged, unbroken periods of sitting. Many workplaces have adopted stand up desk , which allow you to sit down or stand up with the push of a button or lever, to reduce the harms of prolonged sitting. But how much better is standing? And are there risks of too much standing? Here’s what the research says about the risks of too much sitting and standing, and whether it’s worth investing in – or ditching – a height adjustable desk . What are the hazards of too much sitting? People who sit a lot have higher chances of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers, and having a shorter lifespan. Prolonged sitting can also lead to musculoskeletal complaints, particularly in the neck and back. Excessive sitting is even more harmful to health among people who do very little exercise or who do not