Lifestyle

Benefits of Standing/Electric Desks Compared To Standard Desks

Published

5 years ago

July 28, 2020

The quintessential work routine in the US makes it difficult to harness the benefits of physical activity or movement. Between the morning and afternoon commutes, desk work, meetings, and screen time, Americans spend most of their hours sitting for long.

However, standing desks or electrical desks are now replacing the standard desks at workplaces. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, standing desks are one of the fastest-growing benefits that employees are seeking at their workplaces.

Standing Desks: Changing the Dynamics

As the name suggests, a standing desk is a workstation designed for use while standing. Unlike a standard desk that usually has a fixed height, standing desks come with height adjustment features. If you have a standard sitting desk, you can simply place your computer on a stack of books or top of a box for optimal viewing. But, it does not offer ergonomic benefits.

However, standing desks are more convenient as these custom-built platforms allow you to adjust the height with a push of a button. You can get customized standing desks depending on the task, such as telephoning, computer use, or architectural drawing. Read here for more about height adjustable desks there are several articles.

Manual Standing Desk

These are adjustable standing desk converters. You can use the squeeze handles to adjust the desk. Usually, these desks have a gas spring and hydraulic lifting mechanism that helps to convert your sitting desk into a standing desk manually.

Electric Standing Desk

Usually, a precision linear motor powers the electric adjustable-height desks. They have the edge over manually operated standing desks in terms of speed, performance, and convenience. But, electric standing desks are pricey than crank-operated desks.

Compared to standard desks, the electric or standing desks are sturdy, convenient, and offer a wide range of ergonomic benefits.

Sitting: The New Smoking

Before we look at the ergonomics and various health benefits that standing desks offer, it is essential to understand why sitting for too long is bad. Research from the American Cancer Society shows that sitting for an extended period deteriorates your health, even if you manage to get plenty of exercises.

No wonder sitting is called “the new smoking.” The average American, aged 12 and older, sit for eight to ten hours a day doing things that require less movement, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Sitting for a long time makes you susceptible to premature death.

If you have a standard desk at the office, and you spend most of the time seated, you are at risk of developing several health issues. For instance, you can face musculoskeletal problems, heart disease, increased sugar levels, and, of course, obesity.

Ergonomic Benefits of Standing Desks

According to the Cornell University Department of Ergonomics, sitting compared to standing exerts 90% additional pressure on your back. Ergonomics has a simple principle – fit the task to the person instead of making the person adjust to the task.

Standing desks limit your sitting time and help you focus on movement by alternating your postures. It does not only reduce pain and strain but also increases your comfort level and productivity at work.

Adjustability is crucial; your job desk, monitor arm, chair, and keyboard tray –all must be adjustable, and that is only possible with height-adjustable standing desks. The electric desks provide many benefits, such as:

A standing workstation reduces lower back pain significantly
It decreases half of the neck and upper back pain
Height-adjustable standing desks reduce arm and wrist strain, as you can keep your arms at your wrists level at 90 degrees
It improves your posture as you stand upright with your shoulders pulled back

Other Health Benefits

A sedentary lifestyle contributes to a variety of health problems, including diabetes and heart diseases. The inactive lifestyle is the fourth leading cause of deaths in the world; experts often suggest taking walk breaks during work. Well, you can draw many benefits from standing desks and get rid of your sedentary work routine.

Burn Calories, Lose Weight

Obesity is a common problem among people who have a sedentary lifestyle, i.e., sitting for long hours. But, using standing desks for three hours a day can help reduce weight, burning 174 more calories than you could burn sitting. That is almost 40,000 calories or twelve pounds of body weight a year.

Minimize the Risk of Heart Diseases

Sitting for 7-8 hours straight at workstation poses a severe threat to the heart. Even if you exercise an hour daily, it cannot make up for the damage sedentary work routine causes. Prolonged sitting increases the risk of heart disease by 147%. You can lower the risk by using standing desks and adopting an active lifestyle.

Reduce Blood Sugar Levels

A study found that those who stand for three hours after lunch experience a 43% drop in the after-meal blood sugar spike. In comparison, prolonged sitting increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes by a whopping 112%. So, a standing desk helps control your sugar levels.

Improve Fatigue, Lower Back Pain

According to Mayo Clinic, back pain is the third common reason for a visit to doctors in the US. Sitting for long contributes to upper and lower back pain. A study found that compared to traditional desks, standing workstations improve fatigue in overweight employees. It also found that using an electric height-adjustable standing desk reduces the musculoskeletal discomfort by 32%.

Increase Productivity and Energy Level

In a study focused on occupational sitting, 87% of participants said they feel more energetic at work when using standard desks. A sedentary routine makes you depress; using a standing workstation reduces stress and fatigue. It improves blood circulation and oxygen supply to the brain, thereby increasing your productivity level.

Word of Advice

While standing desks offer many advantages, make sure that you switch from sitting to standing gradually. For instance, at first, only stand for 30 minutes to an hour a day. Just like sitting for all day is harmful, so is standing for extended hours. Thus, the transition should be smooth and gradual. Many workplaces have already replaced standard desks with electric height-adjustable standing workstations. If you are also planning for the switch over, you can find the best standing desks for your workspace or office here.

Up Next

Soccer Coach and Fitness Trainer Al Cairns Knew the 9 to 5 Was not For Him After Having an Internship during College, So He Embraced the World of Sports

Don't Miss

Best Buoyancy Aid for Kayaking UK – 2020

Matthew Wiles

The idea of Bigtime Daily landed this engineer cum journalist from a multi-national company to the digital avenue. Matthew brought life to this idea and rendered all that was necessary to create an interactive and attractive platform for the readers. Apart from managing the platform, he also contributes his expertise in business niche.

Click to comment

Lifestyle

How To Combine Astrology With Self-Care Rituals To Enhance Daily Living

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

Michelle Langton

Self-care looks different for everyone. And it could look different day by day. Sometimes you just need meditation or journaling or a grounding ritual. Sometimes you need movement. Sometimes you need more rest. Have you ever wondered why it’s different day-by-day and why you can’t seem to “stick” to something?

Most of us know something about Western astrology, but have you ever heard of Vedic astrology (Jyotish)? Vedic astrology focuses on your moon sign (which may differ from your Western astrological chart), planetary transits, and Dasha period. These three areas shape how you feel, act, and process emotions every day.

The time management app align27 doesn’t just focus on your typical horoscope. It gives you a personalized Vedic birth chart and a daily favorability forecast based on planetary influences. It uses a simple yet powerful stoplight system — green for favorable times, yellow for neutral, and red for moments when it’s best to slow down — to help you navigate each day with intention.

Why Vedic astrology and self-care go hand in hand

Ever have days where everything flows effortlessly and others where nothing seems to go right? That’s not random — it’s the influence of the planets at play. Vedic astrology teaches that planetary transits and periods, and the Moon’s placement each day all impact your energy.

By understanding these influences, align27 customizes your self-care rituals to work with the planetary energies rather than against them. The result? A self-care routine that feels more natural, restorative, and in harmony with your personal astrology.

How to align self-care with align27

1. Follow your moon sign for emotional well-being

In Vedic astrology, your Moon sign reveals how you process emotions, handle stress, and recharge. The align27 app provides real-time insights into your Moon sign’s current state, helping you plan self-care that supports your well-being.

Fire Moons (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): align27 will highlight action-oriented times, which are perfect for movement-based self-care like yoga, walking, or a workout.

Earth Moons (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Your best self-care moments often fall during grounding planetary periods. The align27 app helps you time activities like cooking, gardening, or Ayurvedic oil massages.

Air Moons (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Mental stimulation is key for you. Use align27’s favorable green time slots to plan journaling, reading, or creative work.

Water Moons (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Emotional balance is crucial; align27 suggests introspective yellow periods during which self-care like meditation, breathwork, or music therapy can help you reset.

By checking your daily Moon sign insights in align27, you can sync your self-care with your emotional energy instead of forcing routines that don’t feel right.

2. Sync with planetary transits for daily rituals

Planetary movements in Vedic astrology directly influence your daily energy. Instead of following the same self-care routine every day, use the align27 app to check which planets are strongest and which ones need balancing.

Green periods: Ideal for action — schedule workouts, deep work, or personal projects.

Yellow periods: Best for reflection — meditation, light reading, or connecting with loved ones.

Red periods: Time to pause — prioritize self-care, avoid big decisions, and rest.

For example:

If align27 shows a red period under Mercury’s influence, it’s a sign to unplug from tech and practice silence (Mauna) instead.

A green period during a Moon transit suggests a great time for emotional processing through journaling or spiritual rituals.

If Saturn is active, align27 might recommend structured self-care, like a disciplined yoga practice or fasting.

The daily timing feature of align27 takes the guesswork out of self-care, helping you plan around when the universe is actually working with you, not against you.

3. Use your Venus sign for beauty and self-love rituals

In Vedic astrology, Venus (Shukra) represents luxury, pleasure, and how you experience beauty. But your Venus sign in your birth chart tells you what kind of self-care truly nourishes your soul.

Venus in Fire Signs: You love bold, energizing self-care. Ayurvedic herbal treatments, bright colors, and invigorating scents like sandalwood or saffron uplift your energy.

Venus in Earth Signs: You prefer high-quality, natural self-care. Organic skincare, silk bedding, and nourishing food rituals align with your Venus energy.

Venus in Air Signs: You thrive on social and intellectual beauty. Try mantra recitation, decorating your space with art, or engaging in deep conversations.

Venus in Water Signs: You need emotionally fulfilling self-care. Essential oil baths, soft textures, and music therapy create a calming atmosphere.

4. Strengthen your planetary weaknesses through rituals

Each planet in your birth chart has strengths and weaknesses based on its placement. You can balance planetary imbalances through specific self-care rituals:

Weakened moon? Drink warm milk with cardamom, wear white, and meditate under the full Moon.

Struggling with Rahu energy? Reduce digital distractions, light camphor, and chant “Om Rahave Namah.”

Mars overactivity? Avoid spicy food, practice slow yoga, and wear cool colors like blue or white.

The align27 app personalizes these remedies based on your birth chart and daily planetary shifts.

Align your self-care with the stars

When you integrate Vedic astrology into your self-care routine, you’re not just following trends but tuning into the ancient wisdom of timing and energy alignment. Instead of forcing yourself into a one-size-fits-all self-care plan, you can create rituals that genuinely support you based on the cosmic influences at play.

With tools like align27, you can easily track your best days for rest, action, and reflection — making self-care effortless and aligned with the universe. Because taking care of yourself isn’t just about doing more — it’s about doing what’s right for you, at the right time.