- BBC Sounds podcast investigates standing desks and their well being claims
- Experts recommend alternating sitting and standing each half-hour with reminders
- Simple kitchen timers might help customers regulate higher to take a seat–stand desk routines
The finest standing desks have grow to be widespread in workplaces and residential workspaces, promoted as a technique to cut back the well-reported well being dangers linked with lengthy hours of sitting.
Advocates say alternating between sitting and standing can ease again pressure, enhance posture, and encourage motion in the course of the day.
In the Sliced Bread podcast, broadcaster Greg Foot investigates products which promise to make us healthier, happier, and greener (are they really “the best thing since sliced bread”?) and in a new episode, available on BBC Sounds, has turned his consideration to standing desks.
A easy little gadget
In the episode, Foot talks to Professor of Active Living and Public Health at Loughborough University, Stacy Clemes, and Dr Chris McCarthy, Clinical Fellow and Associate Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Physiotherapy.
Sitting for eight or extra hours a day is thought to trigger main well being dangers, which is one cause standing desks are rising in recognition.
The podcast dialogue covers the advantages of those desks and the significance of alternating between standing and sitting (standing for too lengthy at a time can load the lumbar backbone, inflicting again complaints).
Stacy recommends a 50/50 break up of sitting and standing, switching each half-hour, and suggests setting an alarm or utilizing an app in your pc to remind you to alter place.
It’s at this level McCarthy comes up along with his genius suggestion: “The thing I find that’s probably the most useful part of a display screen equipment assessment with people is actually getting them to buy a kitchen timer… have it on the desk so there’s something that physically goes off to remind you to move.”
But why a timer? “If there’s an app I find I can ignore it, but if you’ve got a colorful timer that goes off and annoys everybody you’ll probably more likely to use it,” he explains.
For these contemplating a sit–stand desk, or struggling to adjust to one they already own, a kitchen timer could be a simple but effective tool to ensure you’re getting the proper health benefits from it.
Many people already own a kitchen timer, and if you don’t, you can pick one up for just a few dollars.
A two-pack of digital timers in green and blue is available for $4.97 on Amazon, which is a small value to pay if it helps you keep match and wholesome and finally contributes to extending your life.