Can a standing desk improve productivity?

Most of us want to be more productive at work. Our thinking is clearer. What if something as simple as standing at work would help? What do we know about the impact of standing desks on the clarity, concentration and productivity of employees and students? Researchers have found that adjustable height desks can help reduce mental and physical fatigue and help bring more focus and productivity to our workdays.

Moving and standing can improve concentration

When we work standing up, we shift weight and burn calories. This energy is similar to the mental effect of exercise and can improve concentration in many people. Standing work provides a brief energy boost that activates our focus.A study conducted by the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Texas A&M University looked at how standing desks help students focus in the classroom. The researchers found that first-year high school students who used standing desks had improved attention, executive function, and memory. The authors of the study suggest that standing desks boost brain activity by increasing blood flow, similar to the way exercise does.Another theory is that standing and moving activate different parts of the brain more than sitting, and that this increased activity may in turn help with concentration and problem-solving. For whatever reason, standing occasionally seems to help increase concentration.

Restlessness helps with concentration

No one can focus 100% of their attention and working memory on a task, even if they are fully focused on an activity. We always have a little “floating attention” that keeps us in tune with our surroundings. People often work on small automated tasks like knitting or doodling while focusing their full attention elsewhere. With a electric standing desk, you can switch positions and keep your floating attention busy while others stay focused.There’s plenty of scientific evidence to support the idea that fidgeting helps focus. One way children with ADHD adjust to school work is by fidgeting or making small movements while training them to focus on the main task. However, anyone can benefit from fidgeting behavior. According to Dr. John Ratey, author of the book Spark, even small movements can increase levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.A standing desk can incorporate productive fidgeting into your day. When you can adjust your desk up and down, you increase the possibilities of adding small movements to your daily tasks. That said, if your goal with a L-shaped standing desk is to improve concentration, be sure to choose one that can quickly adjust with your movements. Sit/stand desk speeds vary widely, so look for the fastest desk that suits your needs so you can focus instead of distraction.For a better level of productive fidgeting, try accessories to create a standing fidgeting desk. Consider adding a rocking board or foot fidget to improve your focus overall. The rocking board activates the muscles for balance, providing enough stimulation to increase mental focus. Restlessness can be especially effective for people who tend to move their feet subconsciously.

You may not notice better concentration at first

As with any new behavior, it can take a while to become comfortable and natural at your desk if you’re not used to it. Even with a comfortable ergonomic computer standing desk and accurate setup, standing at work can be a change of pace that takes time to get used to. An adjustable sit/stand desk can make this change easier and more gradual.Some experts recommend setting a timer when you first start using a height-adjustable desk to remind yourself when to sit or stand. However, these timers can disrupt concentration, thereby reducing focus, efficiency, and creativity. Use a crank standing desk to remind yourself that as you shake the table, you’ll feel the soft rise of the table from a synchronized angle. There are other ways to try different intervals to find what works best, such as when you’re feeling uncomfortable or distracted, or when you switch positions while you’re doing certain tasks. Try standing and doodling while on the phone. Or stand and listen to your favorite playlist while you work.Also, it’s important to remember to limit the amount of time you can stand, especially at the beginning. A study of prolonged standing asked office workers to stand instead of sitting entirely. The researchers noted that standing for 2 hours eventually caused discomfort and reduced workers’ sustained attentional response time. To keep your mind clear at work, remember that if you’re sitting when you’re uncomfortable, you can still reap the benefits of standing work.

Other Benefits of Standing Desks Improve ConcentrationMany of the general benefits of a standing desk can also improve mental focus.Sit standing desk can also help employees reduce stress. While the benefits of reducing stress are numerous—including helping improve depression, headaches, insomnia, and a weakened immune system—one of the most immediate responses is improved mood. As mood improves, employees are more likely to become more productive and energetic. They’re also happier when they come home, which often means an improvement in family life.

Back and Neck Pain Relief

The comfort and flexibility of a height-adjustable standing desk can provide welcome relief from back pain, depending on the cause. Relieving some or all of the back pain associated with sitting at a desk all day can go a long way toward improving your focus and productivity.

More energy and stamina

Standing at work, even for part of the day, has been shown to improve energy and stamina. In one study, researchers followed a group of overweight adults and found that those who used a sit-stand desk reported lower levels of overall sleepiness and physical fatigue. Another study showed that proper use of a standing desk reduced physical fatigue, although participants actually expended more energy and burned more calories.Standing desks have also been shown to help reduce mental fatigue during the workday. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, sit-stand desk workers had improved job performance and work engagement, as well as reduced occupational fatigue, compared to a control group. For many people, the benefits come from sitting on tasks that require more attention, while standing on tasks that require less concentration, like collaborating or making phone calls.

In fact, there are many other productivity benefits of a standing desk along with increased focus.