There’s been a lot of discussion in the media recently about the benefits of spending more time standing while at work. Sedentary desk jobs have been shown to decrease life expectancy and increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer, even if you do take regular exercise in line with daily ecommendations. (Harvard Health Publications, 29/1/14)  It can also mean increased amounts of employee sick leave, which costs money in both replacement workers and downtime.

There are several recommendations when it comes to reducing our amount of time sitting at work, one of which is to take regularly scheduled breaks (about every half hour or so) and walk around the office for several minutes. Simple stretching exercises can be done at your desk to keep blood flowing and muscles from stiffening up, while taking a walk during your lunch break is a good way to get fresh air and a change of scenery, as well as some vital exercise. Even small changes such as walking to see a colleague instead of emailing them, or taking the stairs instead of the lift, have been proven to make a difference. (Smithsonian.com, 26/03/2014)

One option gaining in popularity is the treadmill desk, where you work while walking on a treadmill at the same time. But if you’re not ready to take things to quite that extreme a standing workstation, such as the ones featured in our catalogue, may offer a solution. Action Handling carry several types of workstation units that suit different work requirements, from basic workbenches to computer stations. These units also have great crossover potential from the warehouse to the office, tying in nicely with our previous blog post about bringing industrial interior design into your workplace.

The thing to remember is that moderation is key. Just as sitting for extended periods of time can be detrimental to health, so too can standing all day.  A mix of work areas, where people can move between seated and standing positions, may be the solution to optimum health in the workplace. And if you are going to make the transition from seated to standing work, it’s recommended that you ease into it a little at a time to avoid any strain to muscles and joints.

For more information, browse our website, or speak to one of our friendly sales team

For regular Action Handling updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter,  Sign up to our monthly newsletter for company news and information.