Standing desks are great for avoiding the negative health outcomes that traditionally accompany an office job and a more sedentary lifestyle. They can even help you to lose weight.
But one benefit of standing desks which goes widely unnoticed or unpublicised is increased productivity. A standing desk or height-adjustable desk, like those on sale at Flexispot, not only helps you work more comfortably, but they can actually help you work better, too.
In short, working at a standing desk instead of a regular desk can improve your productivity.
How? We're glad you asked. Find out with our ultimate guide to how standing desks improve productivity.
The Link Between Standing Desks and Productivity
The next time you're in a productivity slump, consider investing in a…standing desk? Yep, really.
A study monitoring employees working in a Texan call centre found that over six months, employees using standing desks instead of regular desks experienced 53% more successful calls by month six.
Another study found that employees using standing desks were 43% more productive than those using regular desks. Let's explore some of the potential reasons behind such a significant boost in productivity.
Standing boosts energy
Standing up has been shown to boost energy. And what happens when you have increased energy? You do a better job of your tasks.
When we sit for prolonged periods it can lead to feelings of lethargy, which does nothing for our productivity. So next time you're feeling tired, lethargic, or without energy, simply stand up! You might find that this one simple action re-energises you and inspires you to get on with your tasks successfully.
Walking improves creativity
Some people say their best ideas come to them when they're walking. And there's actually some science behind why that might be the case. A Stanford University case study found that creative output increased by 60% when participants in a study were walking, as opposed to sitting down or being stationary.
Walking eliminates distractions and results in better circulation - both of which can boost brainpower and help you come up with your best ideas. Standing desks aren't just for standing - they're for walking too. Many workers put a small treadmill under their height-adjustable desks to allow them to walk while they work.
If you decide to do the same, you might find that your creative output increases significantly as a result.
Walking can improve mental health, too. And when you're less stressed and worried, you're less distracted, allowing you to better concentrate on the tasks at hand.
Better health outcomes
There's no denying that standing desks are better for your health. Almost every health metric states that prolonged periods of sitting are bad for you and can lead to increased rates of serious diseases like heart disease and obesity.
But with better health outcomes comes an increased enjoyment of work and improved productivity. After all, if you're more able to enjoy the working day without distractions from feeling uncomfortable or unwell, you're more likely to complete tasks successfully.
Other Ways to Boost Productivity
While a standing desk is one of the most important secret weapons when it comes to seeing your productivity soar, it's not the only one. Here are some other top tips for unlocking your most productive self.
● Focus on one thing at a time. As good as you might think you are at multi-tasking, the truth is when we split our attention between two many tasks, none of the tasks are being done to the best of our abilities. Instead of trying to spread yourself too thin, focus on one task at a time for better results.
● Take breaks. Yes, we know it sounds counterintuitive to say you can get more done when you take breaks - but it's true. Regular breaks allow your brain to reset, so you come back to your desk feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your next task.
● Set small goals. Huge tasks and projects can feel overwhelming. Make your to-do list less daunting and more manageable by setting small goals that you can achieve regularly. It will also help your self-confidence and sense of achievement.
● Swallow the frog. No, we're not actually encouraging you to eat the small reptiles. This phrase means to do the hardest thing first. So, if you're putting off an annoying or difficult task, do it at the start of your day. Otherwise, you risk jeopardising the rest of your work because you're too busy worrying about this one thing.
There's no one silver bullet for productivity, but swapping out your regular desk for a standing desk is an excellent place to start. Try it today and see the results. You'll be amazed at the difference just one small tweak can make!
