Researchers have long told us that sitting at your desk all day is bad for your health. Physical inactivity is associated with a number of diseases and conditions in addition to contributing to overall morbidity. One of these conditions is hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure.
A recent revision of high blood pressure guidelines from the American Heart Association now indicates that approximately 45 percent of the population as opposed to 29 percent under the previous guidelines. The shift in those guidelines means that it’s more important than ever for office workers to keep moving during the day. Human bodies were meant to move. As traveling from one area to the next is not practical for much of the workday, adjustable height desks can fill the need to keep moving.
When you sit for prolonged periods, blood pools in the legs. Movement throughout the day improves cardiovascular health as shown by a measurement called carotid-ankle pulse wave velocity. This measurement evaluates stiffness in the legs’ arteries, with one study indicating that people who alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day have much lower arterial stiffness, thus indicating a lowering of blood pressure. Use of a sit/stand desk can help promote that.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), estimate that costs associated with high blood pressure cost a collective $46 million in the United States each year. Installing height-adjustable standing desks to your workspace will also promote non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) throughout the day, which involves the number of calories burned throughout the day. Frequent movement not only helps your employees burn more calories, their bodies will be better able to utilize insulin, which can help stave off Type 2 diabetes. Thus, it’s a win-win situation for your company with lower health care costs and your employees, who will experience better health.
Office Innovations can help you select the right adjustable height desk for your needs. contact us for more information on selecting and setting up furniture for your office space.
