#aluminum flexi laptop desk

[itsmareecheatham]

The horrible Things That Could Happen to You If You Sit For Too Long – HumbleWorks.

The first link between illness and sitting was observed in 1950. When researchers found out that bus drivers were twice more likely to have heart attacks than their bus conductor colleagues. It’s believed excessive sitting slows the metabolism, which affects our ability to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure.

You might be thinking now it isn’t you, but think again. Think about your time commuting to and back from work, watching your favourite show, having lunch etc., it begins to sum up. Unfortunately, the human body is not made to sit down this much. Despite the time of your daily training, this may still now be enough. According to Peter T.Katzmarzyk, Ph.D.

“Even within physically active individuals, there was a strong association between sitting and risk mortality. This is an important observation because it suggests that high amounts of sitting cannot be compensated for with occasional leisure time physical activity even if the amount exceeds the current minimum physical activity recommendations” T.Katzmarzyk,Ph.D.

It is indeed difficult to realize how such an innocent act can damage our body in any way, but it does. “We are made up of 360 joints and over 700 muscles that move your skeleton. Our vascular and nervous system depend on movement to function” says Mohamed Taha, clinical director at Form Clinic. So here is a list of everything that could happen to you.

Posture Problems

It may occur as a surprise to you but sitting puts more pressure on your spine than standing. The disks in your back are meant to expand and contract as you move so they can properly absorb blood and nutrients. Unfortunately, when you sit the disks are compressed and can lose flexibility over time

Neck and shoulders. “The average person is not able to sit down for more than three minutes without falling into a slumped or slouched posture” Mohamed Taha explains. It leads to strains to your cervical vertebrae along with permanent imbalances, sore shoulders and back. We are sure you have suffered it more than once after the whole day at work.

Legs and Hips

Muscle Degeneration. “If you don’t use them, you lose them”. Sitting all day does not require support from your lower body muscles to hold you up and causes muscles atrophy. Weakening of these muscles highly increases your risk of injury.

Varicose Veins. Sitting causes poor circulation in your legs, which causes spider veins, and that just yuck! However, if that’s not enough it can further lead to swollen ankles and blood clots known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Brain Damage

Sitting down has an impact on the fresh blood and oxygen going through your brain. This does not only slow down brain functions but also negatively affect your endorphins levels. This means that sitting not only affects your physical health, but also mental wellbeing.

Digestion

This one seems kind of obvious. If you don’t move you don’t lose weight. Sitting at a desk reduces a person’s energy expenditure because the body’s major muscle groups aren’t being utilized and calorie burning minimizes us. After an extender period this can lead to weight gain and in severe cases obesity.

Sitting at a desk all day impairs the body’s ability to handle blood sugar, causing a reduced sensitivity to the hormone insulting, which helps carry glucose from the blood into cells where it can be used for energy.

Cancer Risk

Emerging studies suggest that prolonged sitting can increase your risk of certain types of cancer, including uterine, colon and lung cancers. The reasons for this aren’t clear yet, however an additional impact sitting has on the last one is the compression from the posture, which results in less space for your lungs to expand when you breathe.

Heart

“Too many of us are tied to our desks, and research shows that this could be increasing our risk of developing heart diseases” says Chris Allen, senior cardiac nurse at the BHF. Humans are built to stand up and this is when our hearts work more effectively, A 2010 study discovered an increase of about 125% in cardiovascular disease in the group that spent more time sitting down, as well as 46% increased risk of death from other causes. Furthermore, long sitting periods are responsible for deactivating an enzyme called lipoprotein that breakdowns fats in the blood vessels, which can lead to blockage of the blood vessel of your heart.

Loneliness and Depression

The reason why you sit all day is most likely sitting on your computer all day, which eventually becomes the single form of communication and a person’s social circle is believed to decline as feelings of depression and loneliness increase. Furthermore, being stuck at a desk also means less time outside. Lack of sunshine causes vitamin D deficiency.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

Wooden Laptop Riser for Desk | Adjustable Standing Desks for Home

Are You Sitting Too Much?  It’s Time To Find Out!

Imagine waking up fresh as a daisy, nailing your working day, and still having plenty of energy to enjoy some well-deserved family time in the evening before heading off to bed content and restful.

Sounds good, no? While it may sound like some far-fetched utopian dream, being consistently content and energized is well within your reach—all you have to do is make some tweaks to your lifestyle.

Did you know? The average person spends around nine hours (or more) of their waking day sitting down. That’s a lot when you really think about it.

Our emotions and consciousness are so deeply rooted we space out without realizing, but our subconscious keeps us going. So, ever thought why that happens and what can you do about it?

In addition to diet, sleep, and exercise, sitting down for excessive periods of time can have a significant impact on your overall health and wellbeing. In short, if you sit down too much, you will suffer, both physically and mentally.

The reason your brain is often overwhelmed by your daily life (or just ‘struggling through’) is that it subconsciously follows a deeply etched sedentary habit.

Now, if standing is one of your main habits, you’re likely to feel better, enhance your energy levels, and flood your brain with mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

If you are feeling sluggish, you might be sitting down too much.

Here’s how to find out.

Deal with your emotions & train your brain

Before we delve any deeper into sitting down, let’s take a moment to explore emotions and the role they play in our everyday health & wellbeing.

Emotions are powerful, so dealing with them head-on is one approach. By learning how to be present and tune into your surroundings, you will form solid foundations for your emotional processing abilities.

Life is busy. There will always be loads of stuff to do, but don’t allow your brain to trick you into unhealthy habits.

Every time you take on a task or activity, stop and think about it. Is what you’re doing efficient or beneficial to your life? Is there a better way to do it? Or, is what you’re doing harm to your wellbeing?  

When you start processing your emotions and training yourself to be more mindful, you will make positive changes consistently—which brings us back to sitting down.

As humans, we’re not built to sit for long periods—the most sedentary of activities was simply meant to be a short interval between standing and moving. But, these days it feels like we take standing intervals between sitting. The more tuned in you are and the better you are at processing your emotions, the more mindful you will be about sitting down for excessive periods. These small changes can show you visible results in your mental and physical health over the long term.

Try the Chair Test

Now that you know how mindfulness and emotional processing plays a role in your daily wellbeing, let’s get back to the issue at hand: your sitting habits. It’s time for The Chair Test.

This simple test will determine where you stand—we mean sit (no pun intended)!

It’s simple: explore these tasks and answer yes or NO. Based on your answer score, you will know the truth about your sitting habits. So, go ahead, open your eyes to reality.

You spend the first 30mins after waking on the bed scrolling through your phone.

You drive or get a cab instead of using public transport (even though you can).

You spend more than 30mins a day idle at a stretch.

The couch has pushed in on one side where you sit.

You work sitting down because that feels productive to you.

You love all home décor that revolves around sitting like a bean bag or a dining chair.

Drinking at the bar is more exciting than standing up or moving around the room.

You love your laptop or desktop.

Picnics at the park have been your favourite lately.

Netflix viewing binges at night is a regular fixture.

Score Yourself:

For each, you get one point.

0:Congrats, you aren’t a chair addict so you’re in the green zone.

1-2: You’re a chair pre-addict.

3-5: You’re a chair addict.

6-8: You’re a prisoner of your chair.

9-10: You’re super sedentary, it’s time to make a change.

Are you a sitting addict?

It’s time to take a STAND, literally. Never fear, here at Humbleworks HQ, we know a thing or two about the benefits of reducing your sitting time. And, we’re going to give you a few pointers on making those lifestyle tweaks that will help you work towards a happier, healthier life.

Take it one step at a time

Moving on from one sedentary activity to the next doesn’t qualify as taking a ‘one step at a time’ approach. To make a sustainable change, you have to break your excessive sitting habits.

We recommend you make changes incrementally, and at your own pace, keeping the end goal of sitting less without effort in mind at all times.

Start with the simple30:5 rule: move around after every 30 minutes of sitting to free your muscles and maintain your body mechanism.

Slowly move on to standing for meetings and coffee breaks, and when you’re ready, invest in a standing desk to enjoy all of those health-boosting benefits while you’re working. Baby steps lead to a greater change, the kind that sticks. So, don’t leap, take your time—you will get there in the end, and it will be worth it.

In today’s world, most of our activities are based on being idle, but there are alternative (better) ways to do things—and most of them involve moving or standing.

So, take heed of this wake-up call before it’s too late. And, if you’re looking for further inspiration, read our guide on which adjustable standing desk to buy for your specific needs.

[promotionalwears12-blog]

Best Professional Gifts Ideas for Diwali 2019

Diwali, the celebration of lights is the most significant religious occasion of Hindus celebrated with sweets and gifts by millions all-inclusive. Trading blessings during this devout event to offer thanks has long turned into a setup convention. Nearly everyone, from a 10-year old youth to a nonagenarian, trades blessings to indicate profound respect and love towards each other. The celebration additionally offers the ideal event for organizations, of all shapes and sizes, to recognize the commitment of customers and workers by exhibiting Best Professional Gifts Ideas. 

 Offering gifts to representatives on Diwali makes them feel uncommon and supports their confidence, accordingly promising them to move in the direction of individual and expert improvement. Then again, offering exceptional Diwali gifts to employees goes far in advancing your business. Your customers and representatives are two of the most crucial gatherings of partners, assuming a key job in the progression of your business. In this manner, offering blessings to your workers and clients on the favorable event of Diwali sets up an enduring bond with them. You should take additional consideration while picking Diwali gifts for Architects and Diwali gifts for Businessmen.

Choose Corporate Diwali Gifts by Nature of Business. There are Best Professional Gift Ideas for Diwali.

7 Best Diwali Gifts for Architects

Choose Unique and Trending Diwali Gifts for Architects.

3-in-1 gift set keychain cardholder and pen - Express gratitude towards employees of your architectural firm for their contributions by offering them this gift embellished with their names.  

3-in-1 laptop backpack duffel bag with sling bag - This item can be the ideal Diwali gift for the most outstanding employee of your architectural consultancy firm.

3-in-1 gift set keychain wallet with pen - This gift deserves the label “award for clinching the most lucrative deal for Progressive Architects in 2019”.

5000mAh power bank notebook with 16GB pen drive - Just imagine the excitement of your partner when he receives this present embossed with his name and company logo.

Cookie coffee mug - Impart an extraordinary touch of personalization by embossing your employees’ names and company logo on this gift item.

Crisscross full PU backpack - This sturdy backpack goes to the ‘most successful architect of Trident Architecture Ltd in 2019’.

Customized corporate gift pen set - Put the accent on the customization of this gift set by imprinting your architectural firm’s emblem.

7 Top Trending Diwali Gifts for Bankers 

Find the latest Collection of Diwali Gifts for Bankers

3 piece folding alarm clock with photo frame and mirror - This attractive alarm clock can strike a chord in your banker’s heart when you personalize it by engraving his name

Apple ice bucket - Gift this stunning ice bucket carved with the words “to the best employee of Prudential Finance Corporation 2019”.

Bass personalized stereo headset - Make this personalized stereo more customized by carving your banker’s name and your company logo on it

Blackberry brown color travel bag - Engrave the words “Best employee award for improving Heritage Capital Service’s bottom line” and present it to the deserving employee.

Book light lamp - Just imagine how thrilled your banker will be when he receives this book light lamp with his name emblazoned on it.

Car shaped toolkit working headlights torch - This versatile toolkit with LED torch can be the perfect gift for the most outstanding employee of your banking firm.

Bluetooth wireless headphones - Take your relationship with your investment banker to the next level by gifting these wireless headphones boldly displaying his name.

7 Best Diwali Gifts Ideas for Businessmen

There are the Best Diwali Gifts Ideas for Businessmen

D shaped folding duffel bag – Personalizing this gift item     by printing, the names of your clientele will help promote your business

Customized stereo earphone with     mic - Strengthen     your relationships with your clients by gifting this item embossed with their names

Customized Ganpati idol – Presenting this idol imprinted with your company’s icon imparts an auspicious touch to your business     relationships

Customized Power Bank – Encourage your customers to place more orders by presenting this item that has their names engraved on     them.

Corporate tech gift combo –  Present this combo gift carved with the names of your most prospective patrons and win them trust forever

Bluetooth speaker with stand – Customize this gift item by  engraving your firm’s name and logo and gift to your favorite clients for  boosting relationships

Beautiful Ganesha statute – Endow this beautiful idol to the client who has offered you the maximum business 

7 Best Diwali Gifts for CEO and Top Management

Choose Unique and best Ideas of Diwali Gifts for CEO 

5000mAh power bank – Inspire and impress your CEO by gifting this valuable item displaying his name

Beech buggy bike –The top management of your company will be overjoyed to receive this gift-bearing their names from you

Blackberry executive laptop bag –Stimulate your CEO to improve the bottom line of your company by gifting this item imprinted with his     designation

Customized Ganpati Idol –Encourage the CEO of your firm to work harder and bring more business by gifting this icon bearing his     name

Dark brown leather bag –Gift this item etched with the message “Awarded to the CEO of Pinnacle Corporation for his untiring efforts”

Double heart photo frame –This beautiful gift item adorning your CEO’s desk will enthuse him hugely when personalized with company logo

Double-decker duffle trolley overnight bag– This item imprinted with your CEO’s name will go a long way in inspiring him.

 7 Useful Diwali Gifts for College Students

Find the useful Diwali Gift Items for College Students

8-function folding toolkit with torch – Engineering institutes will     hugely motivate talented students by gifting this item carrying their     names

Abstract sleek vacuum flask – MBA students will be overjoyed to receive this gift-bearing their names from college management

Band it personalized notebook – Add to the customization of this personalized notebook by printing your college’s and students’ names

Big Sudoku game – Gift this item to the student     who has scored the highest in mathematics

Basic photo frame – Imagine the excitement of students when they receive this gift carrying their names from the college     principal

Book reading light – Personalize this gift by carving the names of students of your college before presenting them

Camry sports bottle with finger cap – Students of your pharmacy college     will be motivated to perform better after receiving this gift 

 7 Unique Diwali Gifts for Engineers

Find the exclusive range of Unique Diwali gifts for Engineers

3 fold notebook wooden stationery set – Engineers of Pioneering     Automation Services appreciate their employer’s gesture after they receive     this customized gift

Blackberry black and green wallet – Every time staff members see     their names on this wallet, they will thank the employer of Regent Engineering Co

Blackberry travel bag with shoe pocket – Presenting this valuable item     to the hardworking engineers of your engineering services firm will     immensely motivate them.

Blaupunkt high bass HD sound wireless   headphone –  Print your engineering company’s name and logo on this item and gift to     employees for inspiring them

Clock with temperature and magnetic photo frame –     Inspire the employees of your engineering firm by presenting this gift     embossed with their names

Couple corporate gift set – A perfect gift item for     presenting to spouses of your staff members

Cross Ariel slim leather wallet – Every time your employees open     this wallet, they will see their names inscribed on it, and feel excited

7 Trending Diwali Gifts for Farmers

Choose trending and useful Diwali Gifts for Farmers

Aluminum bottle – Farmers purchasing seeds from     your Agrico farming company will be pleased to receive this strikingly     beautiful aluminum company.

Chess digital fast charging power bank – Agriculturists who buy     fertilizers from your the agro-based firm will become your steady clientele     once you present this item.

Cola premium vacuum flask – Print the names of cultivators   �� who regularly deal with your Paramount agricultural company on this item and win their hearts. 

Cosmos galaxy lunch box – Gift this item printed with the names of your clients doing business with Progressive Fertilizer Company for expressing your gratitude.

Digital clock with photo frame – Every time growers look at this gift item for checking the time, they’ll remember you and thank you.

Flexi swan lamp - Carve the names of grangers who routinely transact with your sodbuster firm, on this lamp and boost your agricultural business.

Family photo frame – Add a touch of individuality to this item by inscribing names of farmers and make them feel special.

[itsmareecheatham]

4 ways to improve your ‘Health & Wellbeing’ when working from home

1.  Treat it like a workday In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, we’ve been thrust into a state of almost complete isolation. As such, working from home is on the menu for many.

While working home, in many cases, is proven to boost productivity levels—for many, navigating an entire professional week remotely is an alien concept—something that applies to workers across industries.

 Conveniences and creature comforts coupled with the fish out of water-like sensationworking from home can evoke (if you’re not used to it) and prove difficult to deal with at first. And, as such, bad habits are easily formed.

If you’re reading this and thinking “this is me”—don’t panic because were at HumbleWorks (currently remote) HQ, we’ve got your back (quite literally).

 To help enhance your current professional situation while preventing long-term physical or mental damage, here are four practical ways to boost your health and wellbeing levels while working from home.

Working from home: the perils of sitting

Before we delve any deeper into our working from home wellbeing tips, it’s important to consider just how detrimental constant sitting is for your existing and long-term health.

Studies show that by limiting excessive sitting to three hours a day, you can increase your life expectancy by two whole years. That said, sitting down hunched at your desk for long periods of time is likely to shorten your life expectancy.

Recent discoveries also reveal that sitting-based sedentary lifestyles is almost as bad for you as is smoking. 

The result?The possible (but very real) prospect of deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, increased risk of heart disease and certain cancers, chronically bad hips and back, and anxiety.

Based on this notion, fostering healthy habits while working from home and adjustable standing desk for set periods of time is the way forward. 

Top ‘working from home’ health & wellbeing tips

Now that you understand the importance of investing in your professional health and you’re familiar with the perils of excessive sitting, it’s time to look at our working from home wellbeing tips.

1.  Treat it like a workday

This may appear obvious, but you would be amazed at just how many people overlook this simple yet vital concept: when working from home, treat it like a workday.

Waking up at inconsistent times, skipping the morning shower, or lounging around in your slacks isn’t conducive to a happy, healthy, or productive work environment.

That said, although you are at home, you should try to follow a set routine as you would on a regular workday:

Set your alarm at the same time each day.

Follow your morning ‘getting ready’ ritual.

Eat and snack at consistent times.

Take time to clear your head before you start working

Have a designated workspace that is clean, convenient, and organized.

If you do these things, you will reduce the chances of getting into poor habits or remaining inactive for long periods of time.

2. Fuel your mind & body

A healthy body is a healthy mind, and vice-versa. So, make sure that when you eat, you choose something that will fill you up while making you feel great (you should also treat yourself sometimes, too).

Certain foods will help you remain mentally focused, in turn, boosting your professional productivity rates while helping you maintain consistently high levels of health.

Here are some suggested foods to boost your health and wellbeing when working from home: 

Raw nuts

Oily fish

Berries

Sweet potato

Guacamole and whole-wheat crackers

Fresh fruit

Homemade granola

Quinoa and pulses including chickpeas and lentils

Eggs

Lean chicken

These foods are packed with nutrients and are known to help increase workplace wellbeing health and generic wellness. Also, here are some simple ideas that will inspire you for healthy work from home snacking.

3. Take regular screen breaks

When you’re working from home, it’s tempting to work in big spurts of productivity then kick back for hours at a time. This level of imbalance will only serve to hinder your health and wellbeing.

By taking frequent screen breaks (five to six minutes every 45 minutes or so) and walking around, stretching, or getting some fresh air, you will benefit from increased focus and a more positive mental mindset.

Taking regular screen breaks will also save strain on your eyes while encouraging movement—which brings us onto our final point.

4. Don’t slouch, don’t sit (too much)

Revisiting the excessive sitting scenario for a moment...if you want to increase your health and wellbeing when working from home while reducing your risk of long-term health complications, standing up is key.

Here are some clear-cut benefits from standing up and adopting good posture while you work. Standing...

Helps your heart

Improves your posture

Increases your productivity

Extends your life expectancy

Strengthens your core

Makes your glutes more attractive!

By adjustable standing desk for even half of your workday in addition to eating well and fostering a solid routine, not only will you achieve great things but you will see your wellbeing levels soar.

"Take care of your mind; your body will thank you. Take care of your body; your mind will thank you."—Debbie Hampton

Right now, we’re wading through challenging times, but with the right attitude, we can all get where we need to be. 

To help you increase your work from home life, here at HumbleWorks, we’ve developed a set of stunning standing desks that are portable, completely ergonomic, built to last, and made from 100% sustainable materials.

If you’re working from home right now and want to turn a new leaf, explore our two signature standing desks and take those first big steps towards a happier, healthier home-based workplace.

Oh, and if you have any questions about who we are or what we do, please get in touch—we’re here to help.

[itsmareecheatham]

10 Ways to reduce sitting time at work - HumbleWorks

You’ve heard it before: Sitting is the new smoking.

New research finds that even if you’re active, logging eight hours a day on your rear end in front of the computer can shorten your lifespan. Fortunately, there are other ways to spend less time sitting. Try these 10 tips to cut time in your chair:

1. Use the gym at work:

If your company has one, use it, especially if the weather is bad or work in an extremely secure building that’s hard to leave. A moderate 25-minute walk on the treadmill won’t leave you sweaty enough to require a shower, but it will let you catch up on an episode of your favourite TV show while you’re at work. Even without the extra steps, that’s an incentive right there.

2. Try a standing desk, one that brings your screen to eye level:

A desk (or desk addition) that adjusts your screen and keyboard to standing height is less of an investment–and less of a strange sight–than a treadmill. Set a goal to move your chair out of the way twice a day or so, and try standing for a few minutes as you edit a document or send emails.

3. Eat outside your workplace:

If your favourite cafe is a quarter mile away, that’s an extra half mile you’ll walk daily. But even if you’re carrying a packed lunch, find a spot and invite colleagues to join you.

4. Set an Alarm:

Much sitting is unconscious. Set an alarm to remind yourself to get up at least once an hour to grab a drink, stretch, or otherwise engage your muscles.

5. Keep topping up your water bottle:

Drinking water has many upsides, but one obvious side effect is you’ll have to hit the bathroom frequently. Try visiting one on the other side of the building or on a different floor to increase your time in motion. Bonus: Refill your water bottle from a water fountain that’s far away as well.

6. Get a step counter:

An Apple watch, Fitbit, A Nike+ FuelBand, or can encourage you to move more by showing how many steps you’ve taken (and pitting you against friends and colleagues if you like). If you see you’re far under 10,000 steps for the day, you might get up and walk the halls rather than surf the web when you need a break.

7. Try a walking meeting:

If you’ve got a one-on-one scheduled, ask that colleague to walk with you to grab a coffee, or try any walking trails or reasonable sidewalks you might have nearby. It may actually be easier to have difficult conversations this way when you’re walking side by side rather than staring at each other.

8. Try a standing meeting:

A bar-height table in the office kitchen makes a great place for an informal get-together. Not every meeting requires a conference room, and most people are okay to stand for a few minutes plus it will eliminate.

9. Walk / Pace while on the phone:

Unless you’re taking notes while on the phone, you don’t have to sit. Walk the halls with a headset or move around your office.

10. Visit colleagues:

If you need a quick answer to a question, it’s often as easy to walk to someone’s office as it is to email or call. Face-to-face conversations lower the risk of misinterpretation, too. If you work with people in different buildings, offer to come to visit them, rather than snagging the conference room near you.

[itsmareecheatham]

Are You Sitting Too Much?  It’s Time To Find Out!

Imagine waking up fresh as a daisy, nailing your working day, and still having plenty of energy to enjoy some well-deserved family time in the evening before heading off to bed content and restful.

Sounds good, no? While it may sound like some far-fetched utopian dream, being consistently content and energized is well within your reach—all you have to do is make some tweaks to your lifestyle.

[itsmareecheatham]

Wooden Laptop Riser for Desk | Adjustable Standing Desks for Home

Are You Sitting Too Much?  It’s Time To Find Out!

Imagine waking up fresh as a daisy, nailing your working day, and still having plenty of energy to enjoy some well-deserved family time in the evening before heading off to bed content and restful.

Sounds good, no? While it may sound like some far-fetched utopian dream, being consistently content and energized is well within your reach—all you have to do is make some tweaks to your lifestyle.

Did you know? The average person spends around nine hours (or more) of their waking day sitting down. That’s a lot when you really think about it.

Our emotions and consciousness are so deeply rooted we space out without realizing, but our subconscious keeps us going. So, ever thought why that happens and what can you do about it?

In addition to diet, sleep, and exercise, sitting down for excessive periods of time can have a significant impact on your overall health and wellbeing. In short, if you sit down too much, you will suffer, both physically and mentally.

The reason your brain is often overwhelmed by your daily life (or just ‘struggling through’) is that it subconsciously follows a deeply etched sedentary habit.

Now, if standing is one of your main habits, you’re likely to feel better, enhance your energy levels, and flood your brain with mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

If you are feeling sluggish, you might be sitting down too much.

Here’s how to find out.

Deal with your emotions & train your brain

Before we delve any deeper into sitting down, let’s take a moment to explore emotions and the role they play in our everyday health & wellbeing.

Emotions are powerful, so dealing with them head-on is one approach. By learning how to be present and tune into your surroundings, you will form solid foundations for your emotional processing abilities.

Life is busy. There will always be loads of stuff to do, but don’t allow your brain to trick you into unhealthy habits.

Every time you take on a task or activity, stop and think about it. Is what you’re doing efficient or beneficial to your life? Is there a better way to do it? Or, is what you’re doing harm to your wellbeing?  

When you start processing your emotions and training yourself to be more mindful, you will make positive changes consistently—which brings us back to sitting down.

As humans, we’re not built to sit for long periods—the most sedentary of activities was simply meant to be a short interval between standing and moving. But, these days it feels like we take standing intervals between sitting. The more tuned in you are and the better you are at processing your emotions, the more mindful you will be about sitting down for excessive periods. These small changes can show you visible results in your mental and physical health over the long term.

Try the Chair Test

Now that you know how mindfulness and emotional processing plays a role in your daily wellbeing, let’s get back to the issue at hand: your sitting habits. It’s time for The Chair Test.

This simple test will determine where you stand—we mean sit (no pun intended)!

It’s simple: explore these tasks and answer yes or NO. Based on your answer score, you will know the truth about your sitting habits. So, go ahead, open your eyes to reality.

You spend the first 30mins after waking on the bed scrolling through your phone.

You drive or get a cab instead of using public transport (even though you can).

You spend more than 30mins a day idle at a stretch.

The couch has pushed in on one side where you sit.

You work sitting down because that feels productive to you.

You love all home décor that revolves around sitting like a bean bag or a dining chair.

Drinking at the bar is more exciting than standing up or moving around the room.

You love your laptop or desktop.

Picnics at the park have been your favourite lately.

Netflix viewing binges at night is a regular fixture.

Score Yourself:

For each, you get one point.

0:Congrats, you aren’t a chair addict so you’re in the green zone.

1-2: You’re a chair pre-addict.

3-5: You’re a chair addict.

6-8: You’re a prisoner of your chair.

9-10: You’re super sedentary, it’s time to make a change.

Are you a sitting addict?

It���s time to take a STAND, literally. Never fear, here at Humbleworks HQ, we know a thing or two about the benefits of reducing your sitting time. And, we’re going to give you a few pointers on making those lifestyle tweaks that will help you work towards a happier, healthier life.

Take it one step at a time

Moving on from one sedentary activity to the next doesn’t qualify as taking a ‘one step at a time’ approach. To make a sustainable change, you have to break your excessive sitting habits.

We recommend you make changes incrementally, and at your own pace, keeping the end goal of sitting less without effort in mind at all times.

Start with the simple30:5 rule: move around after every 30 minutes of sitting to free your muscles and maintain your body mechanism.

Slowly move on to standing for meetings and coffee breaks, and when you’re ready, invest in a standing desk to enjoy all of those health-boosting benefits while you’re working. Baby steps lead to a greater change, the kind that sticks. So, don’t leap, take your time—you will get there in the end, and it will be worth it.

In today’s world, most of our activities are based on being idle, but there are alternative (better) ways to do things—and most of them involve moving or standing.

So, take heed of this wake-up call before it’s too late. And, if you’re looking for further inspiration, read our guide on which adjustable standing desk to buy for your specific needs.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

The ABCs Of Illness Due To A Sedentary Lifestyle

Have you ever thought about how you sit for a prolonged time and still don’t realize it, let alone realize the effects it has on your body?

Studies suggest that the average office worker spends75% of their day sitting down at their standing desk. And if you are a sedentary worker, if you’re not stuck at the office glued to the screen, you’re, you’re swiping or scrolling through your cell phone—which frankly, is just an extension of prolonged sitting.

Sitting down for long periods of time at an office desk (or anywhere else for that matter) is detrimental to our health in a number of ways—but the crazy thing is, most people don’t know it.

The concept of sitting in moderation is a concept that has been lost.Good posture is essential to a healthy, happy life—as is standing up more—and we’re going to explain why.

We’re not designed to sit but to stand and to move and as much as sitting can bring more comfort or relief to your body, just like too much sugar, too much of it will have its consequences.

So, to help you on your way to a healthier, happier existence, we’re going to give you a peek into the ABCs of the health issues caused by a super sedentary lifestyle.

A – Ageing

A pivotalstudy shows that a sedentary lifestyle accelerates ageing. When Telomere (a nucleotide sequence of DNA) of two different lifestyles (one active and the other inactive) were compared and repeatedly recorded, the active one had longer telomere, while the inactive one had a shorter telomere (this had shortened with every recording, showing slow degeneration). Since telomere is a marker for a person’s biological age, it’s clear that inactivity accelerates ageing. Also, the health issues caused by sitting indirectly impact the ageing process.

B – Blood pressure

Immobility and lack of physical activity of the body results in hypertension or high blood pressure as it goes unregulated. If you move more and invest in a standing desk while at work, you will stand a far greater chance of keeping your blood pressure at a safe level.

C – Cholesterol

It’s no secret:Too much-sitting results in weight gain, but when that weight starts showing around the hips and waist, you are at an increased risk of high cholesterol levels which can lead to serious heart conditions.

D – Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Immobility in the body reduces blood circulation. The blood pools in certain parts of the body causing blood clots which can lead to issues like DVT. This is a serious health issue where long-term effects can result in the inability to walk properly or worse, lose the ability to walk completely.

H – Heart problems

When we sit for a long period, our body’s fat-burning ability is drastically reduced,  resulting in poor blood circulation as well as a build-up of fatty acids. When these acids have nowhere to go they settle in the arteries, blocking the entry and exit of blood to the heart—a recipe for disaster.

I – Inactivity

The human body’s purpose is to move and we are structured to stand, not sit. Every time we sit for a prolonged period, we invite a new health problem that has short and long term repercussions. Inactivity does harm to your body more than you may think.  By improving your posture at work and moving more, you can avoid this plethora of health issues.

M – Mental health issues like depression and anxiety

Sitting not only causes physical but also mental health issues—those that typically go unnoticed. When you sit for too long, you can lose the motivation to do anything. When you lose motivation, you tend to go outdoors less that will deprive your brain of fresh air, vitamin D or social interaction, thus creating feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression.

N – Nerve damage

Too much sitting can numb the whole body while creating a series of blood clusters. Similarly, sitting also numbs the nerves, which bears a lot of pressure and can lead to chronic damage.

O – Obesity

Sitting for longer periods has strong links to weight gain. This happens as a result of decreased lipoprotein lipase activity which creates a negative impact on the body’s ability to burn fat. When the fat burning process slows down, the body burns carbohydrates instead of fat which means that weight is not lost at all. Even if you follow a low-calorie diet, sitting for extended periods will significantly reduce your body’s ability to burn fat.

P – Poor posture

We slouch all the time and sitting elevates the effects of slouching, causing neck, back, shoulder and hip pain in the process. Poor posture often leads to a variety of chronic health and mobility problems which naturally, will have a negative impact on your quality of life—so keeping tabs on it is incredibly important.

S – Sugar

Inactivity puts stress on the cells to produce insulin which spikes blood sugar with too much pressure. Both of these factors combined can become a big contributing factor in diabetes.

T – Type 2 Diabetes

People with a sedentary lifestyle are at a significantly increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.Inactivity tends to weaken the muscles that result in lower insulin sensitivity which, in turn, raises the chances of contracting diabetes.

V – Varicose veins

When you’re immobile for a long time, your blood circulation slows down to the point that blood starts collecting in various parts of your body, giving rise to spiderweb-like networks called varicose veins. These result in swollen legs, calves, and ankles. Though it’s possible to treat this condition, ignoring varicose veins can lead to more serious conditions like blood clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

W – Weak legs and glutes/muscles

Being idle stops the muscles from getting any form of workout. So, instead of making them flexible, we loosen them up. Loose muscles are unable to help us stand or support our body properly, thus weakening the legs and glutes. You might think that exercising will compensate for your continuous sitting habits, but it won’t undo the damage sitting has already done to your body internally. As such, standing up at work and commitment to moving more frequently is essential if you want to avoid the health issues mentioned here.

Now that you know the many hidden side effects of sitting too much, you can make a change for the better. In addition to eating and sleeping better, getting more exercise, and improving your general posture and perhaps investing in the right standing desk will improve your lifestyle tp no end.

Explore our selection of specialist standing desks and make a change for the better, today.

[itsmareecheatham]

The ABCs Of Illness Due To A Sedentary Lifestyle

Have you ever thought about how you sit for a prolonged time and still don’t realize it, let alone realize the effects it has on your body?

Studies suggest that the average office worker spends75% of their day sitting down at their standing desk. And if you are a sedentary worker, if you’re not stuck at the office glued to the screen, you’re, you’re swiping or scrolling through your cell phone—which frankly, is just an extension of prolonged sitting.

Sitting down for long periods of time at an office desk (or anywhere else for that matter) is detrimental to our health in a number of ways—but the crazy thing is, most people don’t know it.

The concept of sitting in moderation is a concept that has been lost.Good posture is essential to a healthy, happy life—as is standing up more—and we’re going to explain why.

We’re not designed to sit but to stand and to move and as much as sitting can bring more comfort or relief to your body, just like too much sugar, too much of it will have its consequences.

So, to help you on your way to a healthier, happier existence, we’re going to give you a peek into the ABCs of the health issues caused by a super sedentary lifestyle.

A – Ageing

A pivotalstudy shows that a sedentary lifestyle accelerates ageing. When Telomere (a nucleotide sequence of DNA) of two different lifestyles (one active and the other inactive) were compared and repeatedly recorded, the active one had longer telomere, while the inactive one had a shorter telomere (this had shortened with every recording, showing slow degeneration). Since telomere is a marker for a person’s biological age, it’s clear that inactivity accelerates ageing. Also, the health issues caused by sitting indirectly impact the ageing process.

B – Blood pressure

Immobility and lack of physical activity of the body results in hypertension or high blood pressure as it goes unregulated. If you move more and invest in a standing desk while at work, you will stand a far greater chance of keeping your blood pressure at a safe level.

C – Cholesterol

It’s no secret:Too much-sitting results in weight gain, but when that weight starts showing around the hips and waist, you are at an increased risk of high cholesterol levels which can lead to serious heart conditions.

D – Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Immobility in the body reduces blood circulation. The blood pools in certain parts of the body causing blood clots which can lead to issues like DVT. This is a serious health issue where long-term effects can result in the inability to walk properly or worse, lose the ability to walk completely.

H – Heart problems

When we sit for a long period, our body’s fat-burning ability is drastically reduced,  resulting in poor blood circulation as well as a build-up of fatty acids. When these acids have nowhere to go they settle in the arteries, blocking the entry and exit of blood to the heart—a recipe for disaster.

I – Inactivity

The human body’s purpose is to move and we are structured to stand, not sit. Every time we sit for a prolonged period, we invite a new health problem that has short and long term repercussions. Inactivity does harm to your body more than you may think.  By improving your posture at work and moving more, you can avoid this plethora of health issues.

M – Mental health issues like depression and anxiety

Sitting not only causes physical but also mental health issues—those that typically go unnoticed. When you sit for too long, you can lose the motivation to do anything. When you lose motivation, you tend to go outdoors less that will deprive your brain of fresh air, vitamin D or social interaction, thus creating feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression.

N – Nerve damage

Too much sitting can numb the whole body while creating a series of blood clusters. Similarly, sitting also numbs the nerves, which bears a lot of pressure and can lead to chronic damage.

O – Obesity

Sitting for longer periods has strong links to weight gain. This happens as a result of decreased lipoprotein lipase activity which creates a negative impact on the body’s ability to burn fat. When the fat burning process slows down, the body burns carbohydrates instead of fat which means that weight is not lost at all. Even if you follow a low-calorie diet, sitting for extended periods will significantly reduce your body’s ability to burn fat.

P – Poor posture

We slouch all the time and sitting elevates the effects of slouching, causing neck, back, shoulder and hip pain in the process. Poor posture often leads to a variety of chronic health and mobility problems which naturally, will have a negative impact on your quality of life—so keeping tabs on it is incredibly important.

S – Sugar

Inactivity puts stress on the cells to produce insulin which spikes blood sugar with too much pressure. Both of these factors combined can become a big contributing factor in diabetes.

T – Type 2 Diabetes

People with a sedentary lifestyle are at a significantly increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.Inactivity tends to weaken the muscles that result in lower insulin sensitivity which, in turn, raises the chances of contracting diabetes.

V – Varicose veins

When you’re immobile for a long time, your blood circulation slows down to the point that blood starts collecting in various parts of your body, giving rise to spiderweb-like networks called varicose veins. These result in swollen legs, calves, and ankles. Though it’s possible to treat this condition, ignoring varicose veins can lead to more serious conditions like blood clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

W – Weak legs and glutes/muscles

Being idle stops the muscles from getting any form of workout. So, instead of making them flexible, we loosen them up. Loose muscles are unable to help us stand or support our body properly, thus weakening the legs and glutes. You might think that exercising will compensate for your continuous sitting habits, but it won’t undo the damage sitting has already done to your body internally. As such, standing up at work and commitment to moving more frequently is essential if you want to avoid the health issues mentioned here.

Now that you know the many hidden side effects of sitting too much, you can make a change for the better. In addition to eating and sleeping better, getting more exercise, and improving your general posture and perhaps investing in the right standing desk will improve your lifestyle tp no end.

Explore our selection of specialist standing desks and make a change for the better, today.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

The horrible Things That Could Happen to You If You Sit For Too Long – HumbleWorks.

The first link between illness and sitting was observed in 1950. When researchers found out that bus drivers were twice more likely to have heart attacks than their bus conductor colleagues. It’s believed excessive sitting slows the metabolism, which affects our ability to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure.

You might be thinking now it isn’t you, but think again. Think about your time commuting to and back from work, watching your favourite show, having lunch etc., it begins to sum up. Unfortunately, the human body is not made to sit down this much. Despite the time of your daily training, this may still now be enough. According to Peter T.Katzmarzyk, Ph.D.

“Even within physically active individuals, there was a strong association between sitting and risk mortality. This is an important observation because it suggests that high amounts of sitting cannot be compensated for with occasional leisure time physical activity even if the amount exceeds the current minimum physical activity recommendations” T.Katzmarzyk,Ph.D.

It is indeed difficult to realize how such an innocent act can damage our body in any way, but it does. “We are made up of 360 joints and over 700 muscles that move your skeleton. Our vascular and nervous system depend on movement to function” says Mohamed Taha, clinical director at Form Clinic. So here is a list of everything that could happen to you.

Posture Problems

It may occur as a surprise to you but sitting puts more pressure on your spine than standing. The disks in your back are meant to expand and contract as you move so they can properly absorb blood and nutrients. Unfortunately, when you sit the disks are compressed and can lose flexibility over time

Neck and shoulders. “The average person is not able to sit down for more than three minutes without falling into a slumped or slouched posture” Mohamed Taha explains. It leads to strains to your cervical vertebrae along with permanent imbalances, sore shoulders and back. We are sure you have suffered it more than once after the whole day at work.

Legs and Hips

Muscle Degeneration. “If you don’t use them, you lose them”. Sitting all day does not require support from your lower body muscles to hold you up and causes muscles atrophy. Weakening of these muscles highly increases your risk of injury.

Varicose Veins. Sitting causes poor circulation in your legs, which causes spider veins, and that just yuck! However, if that’s not enough it can further lead to swollen ankles and blood clots known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Brain Damage

Sitting down has an impact on the fresh blood and oxygen going through your brain. This does not only slow down brain functions but also negatively affect your endorphins levels. This means that sitting not only affects your physical health, but also mental wellbeing.

Digestion

This one seems kind of obvious. If you don’t move you don’t lose weight. Sitting at a desk reduces a person’s energy expenditure because the body’s major muscle groups aren’t being utilized and calorie burning minimizes us. After an extender period this can lead to weight gain and in severe cases obesity.

Sitting at a desk all day impairs the body’s ability to handle blood sugar, causing a reduced sensitivity to the hormone insulting, which helps carry glucose from the blood into cells where it can be used for energy.

Cancer Risk

Emerging studies suggest that prolonged sitting can increase your risk of certain types of cancer, including uterine, colon and lung cancers. The reasons for this aren’t clear yet, however an additional impact sitting has on the last one is the compression from the posture, which results in less space for your lungs to expand when you breathe.

Heart

“Too many of us are tied to our desks, and research shows that this could be increasing our risk of developing heart diseases” says Chris Allen, senior cardiac nurse at the BHF. Humans are built to stand up and this is when our hearts work more effectively, A 2010 study discovered an increase of about 125% in cardiovascular disease in the group that spent more time sitting down, as well as 46% increased risk of death from other causes. Furthermore, long sitting periods are responsible for deactivating an enzyme called lipoprotein that breakdowns fats in the blood vessels, which can lead to blockage of the blood vessel of your heart.

Loneliness and Depression

The reason why you sit all day is most likely sitting on your computer all day, which eventually becomes the single form of communication and a person’s social circle is believed to decline as feelings of depression and loneliness increase. Furthermore, being stuck at a desk also means less time outside. Lack of sunshine causes vitamin D deficiency.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

4 ways to improve your ‘Health & Wellbeing’ when working from home

1.  Treat it like a workday In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, we’ve been thrust into a state of almost complete isolation. As such, working from home is on the menu for many.

While working home, in many cases, is proven to boost productivity levels—for many, navigating an entire professional week remotely is an alien concept—something that applies to workers across industries.

Conveniences and creature comforts coupled with the fish out of water-like sensationworking from home can evoke (if you’re not used to it) and prove difficult to deal with at first. And, as such, bad habits are easily formed.

If you’re reading this and thinking “this is me”—don’t panic because were at HumbleWorks (currently remote) HQ, we’ve got your back (quite literally).

To help enhance your current professional situation while preventing long-term physical or mental damage, here are four practical ways to boost your health and wellbeing levels while working from home.

Working from home: the perils of sitting

Before we delve any deeper into our working from home wellbeing tips, it’s important to consider just how detrimental constant sitting is for your existing and long-term health.

Studies show that by limiting excessive sitting to three hours a day, you can increase your life expectancy by two whole years. That said, sitting down hunched at your desk for long periods of time is likely to shorten your life expectancy.

Recent discoveries also reveal that sitting-based sedentary lifestyles is almost as bad for you as is smoking.

The result?The possible (but very real) prospect of deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, increased risk of heart disease and certain cancers, chronically bad hips and back, and anxiety.

Based on this notion, fostering healthy habits while working from home and adjustable standing desk for set periods of time is the way forward.

Top ‘working from home’ health & wellbeing tips

Now that you understand the importance of investing in your professional health and you’re familiar with the perils of excessive sitting, it’s time to look at our working from home wellbeing tips.

1.  Treat it like a workday

This may appear obvious, but you would be amazed at just how many people overlook this simple yet vital concept: when working from home, treat it like a workday.

Waking up at inconsistent times, skipping the morning shower, or lounging around in your slacks isn’t conducive to a happy, healthy, or productive work environment.

That said, although you are at home, you should try to follow a set routine as you would on a regular workday:

Set your alarm at the same time each day.

Follow your morning ‘getting ready’ ritual.

Eat and snack at consistent times.

Take time to clear your head before you start working

Have a designated workspace that is clean, convenient, and organized.

If you do these things, you will reduce the chances of getting into poor habits or remaining inactive for long periods of time.

2. Fuel your mind & body

A healthy body is a healthy mind, and vice-versa. So, make sure that when you eat, you choose something that will fill you up while making you feel great (you should also treat yourself sometimes, too).

Certain foods will help you remain mentally focused, in turn, boosting your professional productivity rates while helping you maintain consistently high levels of health.

Here are some suggested foods to boost your health and wellbeing when working from home:

Raw nuts

Oily fish

Berries

Sweet potato

Guacamole and whole-wheat crackers

Fresh fruit

Homemade granola

Quinoa and pulses including chickpeas and lentils

Eggs

Lean chicken

These foods are packed with nutrients and are known to help increase workplace wellbeing health and generic wellness. Also, here are some simple ideas that will inspire you for healthy work from home snacking.

3. Take regular screen breaks

When you’re working from home, it’s tempting to work in big spurts of productivity then kick back for hours at a time. This level of imbalance will only serve to hinder your health and wellbeing.

By taking frequent screen breaks (five to six minutes every 45 minutes or so) and walking around, stretching, or getting some fresh air, you will benefit from increased focus and a more positive mental mindset.

Taking regular screen breaks will also save strain on your eyes while encouraging movement—which brings us onto our final point.

4. Don’t slouch, don’t sit (too much)

Revisiting the excessive sitting scenario for a moment...if you want to increase your health and wellbeing when working from home while reducing your risk of long-term health complications, standing up is key.

Here are some clear-cut benefits from standing up and adopting good posture while you work. Standing...

Helps your heart

Improves your posture

Increases your productivity

Extends your life expectancy

Strengthens your core

Makes your glutes more attractive!

By adjustable standing desk for even half of your workday in addition to eating well and fostering a solid routine, not only will you achieve great things but you will see your wellbeing levels soar.

"Take care of your mind; your body will thank you. Take care of your body; your mind will thank you."—Debbie Hampton

Right now, we’re wading through challenging times, but with the right attitude, we can all get where we need to be.

To help you increase your work from home life, here at HumbleWorks, we’ve developed a set of stunning standing desks that are portable, completely ergonomic, built to last, and made from 100% sustainable materials.

If you’re working from home right now and want to turn a new leaf, explore our two signature standing desks and take those first big steps towards a happier, healthier home-based workplace.

Oh, and if you have any questions about who we are or what we do, please get in touch—we’re here to help.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

First of all, will a standing desk improve my well-being at work?

YES, it will!

Working while standing has lots of benefits most of us aren’t even aware of.

It helps correct your posture while working by keeping your spine straight and helps strengthen your core, resulting in significantly reduced back pain.

Also, say goodbye to neck pain, with your computer screen eye level your head will be much better aligned with the rest of you!

Secondly, working standing up keeps you in an alert and awake position – which is excellent especially after lunch, you don't want to be in a sedentary position as your digestive system has to work twice as hard, which slows you down.

Lastly, standing up improves your blood circulation, oxygen levels and boosts metabolism. It will also help increase productivity since your brain will be receiving more oxygen and nutrient-rich blood flooding your thought organ with mood-boosting chemicals.

To fully enjoy the benefits of working standing up, you are advised to start by standing up an hour for every 2 hours you sit. As weeks go by you can increase the ratio throughout your day. But, please note that this doesn’t mean you have to force yourself. We all have different adaptation curves for habits and can take you longer or shorter to acquire the habit of working standing up. Take your time and enjoy aiming for a smooth, comfortable transition to a healthier working experience!

Now, which standing desk is more suitable for you?

Standing desks by category

In this post, we explain the different standing desk categories.

Three types of standing desks:

1.Mechanically Adjustable Standing Desks

You must adjust the height of the desk at the hips level and place the laptop on the platform. The main characteristic is that this type of standing desks needs to be adjusted manually every time.

The problem with this type of standing desk is that they rarely have a second shelf to place the screen or monitor forcing you to look down at the screen.

In most cases, you’ll have to acquire a laptop riser or a desktop stand to elevate the computer screen at eye level.

2. Electrically  Adjustable Standing Desk

This type of standing desks work the same way as the mechanically adjustable ones but with the added value of just pressing a button to adjust the height – even some of them have memory buttons!

The price for this category ranges from 200GBP to up to 3,000GBP. Don’t forget to get one with an extra shelf for raising the screen or computer at your eye level.

3. CONVERTER STANDING DESKS.

This category has many different models, materials and price ranges. In general, the converter standing desks will allow you to raise the computer screen to eye level and at the same time offer you a shelf or platform for your keyboard and mouse at elbow level.

This type of standing desks works as an add-on to your sitting desk. Also, they tend to be quite easy to fold down and adjust so you can alternate sitting and standing while working.

So, which standing desk to buy?

There is no right answer.

It will all depend on your needs, space and budget available. However, consider that the whole point of having a standing desk is to improve your posture; there are some categories of standing desks – mainly the mechanically and electrically adjustable ones – that even if they let you work standing up, sometimes depending on the model you choose, you’ll still have to bend down your head to look at the computer screen invalidating the whole point of acquiring a standing desk!

The only things that we suggest you MUST consider when buying a adjustable standing desk is:

Make sure that your head is NOT bending down towards the computer screen. You need to keep your head up at a 90-degree angle from the screen.

Always have the keyboard at elbow level too.

[itsmareecheatham]

First of all, will a standing desk improve my well-being at work?

YES, it will!

Working while standing has lots of benefits most of us aren’t even aware of.

It helps correct your posture while working by keeping your spine straight and helps strengthen your core, resulting in significantly reduced back pain.

Also, say goodbye to neck pain, with your computer screen eye level your head will be much better aligned with the rest of you!

Secondly, working standing up keeps you in an alert and awake position – which is excellent especially after lunch, you don't want to be in a sedentary position as your digestive system has to work twice as hard, which slows you down.

Lastly, standing up improves your blood circulation, oxygen levels and boosts metabolism. It will also help increase productivity since your brain will be receiving more oxygen and nutrient-rich blood flooding your thought organ with mood-boosting chemicals.

To fully enjoy the benefits of working standing up, you are advised to start by standing up an hour for every 2 hours you sit. As weeks go by you can increase the ratio throughout your day. But, please note that this doesn’t mean you have to force yourself. We all have different adaptation curves for habits and can take you longer or shorter to acquire the habit of working standing up. Take your time and enjoy aiming for a smooth, comfortable transition to a healthier working experience!

Now, which standing desk is more suitable for you?

Standing desks by category

In this post, we explain the different standing desk categories.

Three types of standing desks:

1.Mechanically Adjustable Standing Desks

You must adjust the height of the desk at the hips level and place the laptop on the platform. The main characteristic is that this type of standing desks needs to be adjusted manually every time.

The problem with this type of standing desk is that they rarely have a second shelf to place the screen or monitor forcing you to look down at the screen.

In most cases, you’ll have to acquire a laptop riser or a desktop stand to elevate the computer screen at eye level.

2. Electrically  Adjustable Standing Desk

This type of standing desks work the same way as the mechanically adjustable ones but with the added value of just pressing a button to adjust the height – even some of them have memory buttons!

The price for this category ranges from 200GBP to up to 3,000GBP. Don’t forget to get one with an extra shelf for raising the screen or computer at your eye level. 

3. CONVERTER STANDING DESKS.

This category has many different models, materials and price ranges. In general, the converter standing desks will allow you to raise the computer screen to eye level and at the same time offer you a shelf or platform for your keyboard and mouse at elbow level.

This type of standing desks works as an add-on to your sitting desk. Also, they tend to be quite easy to fold down and adjust so you can alternate sitting and standing while working.

So, which standing desk to buy?

There is no right answer.

It will all depend on your needs, space and budget available. However, consider that the whole point of having a standing desk is to improve your posture; there are some categories of standing desks – mainly the mechanically and electrically adjustable ones – that even if they let you work standing up, sometimes depending on the model you choose, you’ll still have to bend down your head to look at the computer screen invalidating the whole point of acquiring a standing desk! 

The only things that we suggest you MUST consider when buying a adjustable standing desk is:

Make sure that your head is NOT bending down towards the computer screen. You need to keep your head up at a 90-degree angle from the screen.

Always have the keyboard at elbow level too.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

HumbleWorks - What are the Costs of not Buying a Standing Desk

Let’s start with the overall wellbeing of employees. If their jobs involve them spending long hours sitting behind a desk, then I could begin to wreak havoc with their health if they don’t dedicate some time to exercise and maintain healthy eating habits. Wellbeing isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ along with growth strategies and hitting targets anymore. It should be fully integrated with any company’s agenda. The truth is that if you’re not looking after your employees, you can’t expect them to look after your company and your customers. Ignorance is mutual, and it is higher managements’ job to set the example. It can be seen that many companies have started seeing wellbeing programmes seriously. 2017 was a milestone year as 70% of US employers introduced them from 58% in 2015.

Physical health is the main reason why wellbeing at work matters as their 64% of adults in the UK are classified as overweight or obese. Both cases have a significant impact on absenteeism because of which many companies lose a lot of money each year. Furthermore, staying fit helps to develop a sharper memory which makes one a faster learner, as well as can result in prolonged mental stamina.

Companies which introduced wellbeing programmes strongly benefited in recruitment and retention. By offering their employees additional perks, they are standing out among the competitors when it comes to attracting top clients. It simply improves the company's reputation.

Having said that promoting physical activity among employees can drive several benefits for the business, unfortunately, we must note that exercise cannot offset the risks of sitting…  Standing up for just 10 minutes every hour, on the other hand, can.

According to a 2017 survey out of the Society for Human Resource Management, Adjustable standing desks are the fastest growing benefits trend. 13% of employers provided or subsidized them in 2013 and 44% did so in 2017.

Why are you asking? A 2014 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that standing desks reduced the sedentary time by more than three hours a week, they increased the sense of well being and gave energy, as well as decreased fatigue and appetite. Another study conducted by Texas A&M University at a call centre found that productivity increased by 46% when using portable standing desks in comparison to colleagues who didn’t. Furthermore, in both studies, employees felt less trapped by working in an office.

“Once you get used to using a standing desk, there’s just no going back- now I can stand for hours on end, and sometimes have to remind myself to give my legs a break. I feel restless and lethargic if I have to sit down all day” –       Rachel Krantz, Senior Features Editor at Bustle.

It might be difficult to answer the question of what are the costs of not buying a standing desk for your business with a specific number as it depends on the size of your company, employer’s salary, etc. However, not having at least one in your office can lead to missing all of the above benefits. Remember happy employees, happy customers, profitable business.

[itsmareecheatham]

HumbleWorks - What are the Costs of not Buying a Standing Desk

Let’s start with the overall wellbeing of employees. If their jobs involve them spending long hours sitting behind a desk, then I could begin to wreak havoc with their health if they don’t dedicate some time to exercise and maintain healthy eating habits. Wellbeing isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ along with growth strategies and hitting targets anymore. It should be fully integrated with any company’s agenda. The truth is that if you’re not looking after your employees, you can’t expect them to look after your company and your customers. Ignorance is mutual, and it is higher managements’ job to set the example. It can be seen that many companies have started seeing wellbeing programmes seriously. 2017 was a milestone year as 70% of US employers introduced them from 58% in 2015.

Physical health is the main reason why wellbeing at work matters as their 64% of adults in the UK are classified as overweight or obese. Both cases have a significant impact on absenteeism because of which many companies lose a lot of money each year. Furthermore, staying fit helps to develop a sharper memory which makes one a faster learner, as well as can result in prolonged mental stamina.

Companies which introduced wellbeing programmes strongly benefited in recruitment and retention. By offering their employees additional perks, they are standing out among the competitors when it comes to attracting top clients. It simply improves the company's reputation.

Having said that promoting physical activity among employees can drive several benefits for the business, unfortunately, we must note that exercise cannot offset the risks of sitting…  Standing up for just 10 minutes every hour, on the other hand, can.

According to a 2017 survey out of the Society for Human Resource Management, Adjustable standing desks are the fastest growing benefits trend. 13% of employers provided or subsidized them in 2013 and 44% did so in 2017.

Why are you asking? A 2014 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that standing desks reduced the sedentary time by more than three hours a week, they increased the sense of well being and gave energy, as well as decreased fatigue and appetite. Another study conducted by Texas A&M University at a call centre found that productivity increased by 46% when using portable standing desks in comparison to colleagues who didn’t. Furthermore, in both studies, employees felt less trapped by working in an office.

“Once you get used to using a standing desk, there’s just no going back- now I can stand for hours on end, and sometimes have to remind myself to give my legs a break. I feel restless and lethargic if I have to sit down all day” –       Rachel Krantz, Senior Features Editor at Bustle.

It might be difficult to answer the question of what are the costs of not buying a standing desk for your business with a specific number as it depends on the size of your company, employer’s salary, etc. However, not having at least one in your office can lead to missing all of the above benefits. Remember happy employees, happy customers, profitable business.

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10 Ways to reduce sitting time at work - HumbleWorks

You’ve heard it before: Sitting is the new smoking.

New research finds that even if you’re active, logging eight hours a day on your rear end in front of the computer can shorten your lifespan. Fortunately, there are other ways to spend less time sitting. Try these 10 tips to cut time in your chair:

1. Use the gym at work:

If your company has one, use it, especially if the weather is bad or work in an extremely secure building that’s hard to leave. A moderate 25-minute walk on the treadmill won’t leave you sweaty enough to require a shower, but it will let you catch up on an episode of your favourite TV show while you’re at work. Even without the extra steps, that’s an incentive right there.

2. Try a standing desk, one that brings your screen to eye level:

A desk (or desk addition) that adjusts your screen and keyboard to standing height is less of an investment–and less of a strange sight–than a treadmill. Set a goal to move your chair out of the way twice a day or so, and try standing for a few minutes as you edit a document or send emails.

3. Eat outside your workplace: 

If your favourite cafe is a quarter mile away, that’s an extra half mile you’ll walk daily. But even if you’re carrying a packed lunch, find a spot and invite colleagues to join you.

4. Set an Alarm:

Much sitting is unconscious. Set an alarm to remind yourself to get up at least once an hour to grab a drink, stretch, or otherwise engage your muscles.

5. Keep topping up your water bottle:

Drinking water has many upsides, but one obvious side effect is you’ll have to hit the bathroom frequently. Try visiting one on the other side of the building or on a different floor to increase your time in motion. Bonus: Refill your water bottle from a water fountain that’s far away as well.

6. Get a step counter:

An Apple watch, Fitbit, A Nike+ FuelBand, or can encourage you to move more by showing how many steps you’ve taken (and pitting you against friends and colleagues if you like). If you see you’re far under 10,000 steps for the day, you might get up and walk the halls rather than surf the web when you need a break.

7. Try a walking meeting:

If you’ve got a one-on-one scheduled, ask that colleague to walk with you to grab a coffee, or try any walking trails or reasonable sidewalks you might have nearby. It may actually be easier to have difficult conversations this way when you’re walking side by side rather than staring at each other.

8. Try a standing meeting:

A bar-height table in the office kitchen makes a great place for an informal get-together. Not every meeting requires a conference room, and most people are okay to stand for a few minutes plus it will eliminate. 

9. Walk / Pace while on the phone:

Unless you’re taking notes while on the phone, you don’t have to sit. Walk the halls with a headset or move around your office.

10. Visit colleagues:

If you need a quick answer to a question, it’s often as easy to walk to someone’s office as it is to email or call. Face-to-face conversations lower the risk of misinterpretation, too. If you work with people in different buildings, offer to come to visit them, rather than snagging the conference room near you.