Godrej Interio
Technology has pervaded all areas of our lives, making it infinitely convenient. Everything you can think of is now within reach, but amidst it all, our lifestyles have become sedentary and less physically active. This has led to a vast array of shortcomings and disorders, such as poor fitness, raised cholesterol levels, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression. As we’ve adopted a more sedentary lifestyle at work and while working from home amidst Covid as well, our sitting hours have increased markedly. Prolonged sitting leads to lower back pain, neck-shoulder complaints, postural stress disorder, joint compression, soft tissue injuries, muscular imbalances and reduced blood circulation. To combat it all, ergonomic work environments have risen to become the need of the hour. The Workspace and Ergonomic Cell at Godrej Interio conducted a survey with 500+ employees, trying to understand the challenges they face associated with long hours of sitting at work.
Sit-Stand desks: The Solution
Sit-to-stand is an idea that promotes alternating between sitting and standing work positions to ease physical stress. It keeps you active at work and improves productivity throughout the day.
Sit-Stand desks come to the rescue here. These are desks with either manual or electric cranks that can be used to adjust the height of the workstation depending on whether it is being used to sit or stand while working.
These have been proven to improve productivity and concentration, and enhance creativity as the blood flow to the brain increases while standing.
But only 10% of organisations in India offer sit-stand desks.
This needs to change. While using a sit-stand desk:
Make sure it’s ergonomically correct.
Set height slightly below elbow position when shoulders are relaxed, upper arms are naturally by the side and elbows are at 90 to 110 degree angles.
A footstool or box can be placed to keep one foot up at all times. This avoids pain in the lower back and reduces stress while standing.
Fatigue mats can be used when standing.
Standing time can be gradually increased.
One shouldn’t keep standing continuously at a stretch. The most ideal way to utilise it is to stand in a good position for 15 minutes after every 45 minutes.
In conclusion, as organisations and employees move towards a more conscious and evolved way of working, the emphasis must be on creating healthier and more active lifestyles, aided by work environments that promote movement and dynamic behaviour within the workspace.
However, it’s important to remember that too much of anything is not good.
While standing is a great alternative to sitting, standing for extended periods comes with its own problems. Alternating between postures is the ideal way to keep things going. After all, it’s never too late to switch to good health!
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