Standing Desks Create a Healthy Workplace

Posted on: August 14, 2015, by :

History of Desks

While the standing desk is a recent phenomenon, desks and work surfaces have been utilized by humans for centuries. The earliest written history of the desk can be traced back to Medieval times in which illustrations show the first desks being used for reading and writing. During the Renaissance, desks became slimmer and the use of drawers became more prolific.

In the 1850’s we became familiar with the first change in desk design, as evidenced by Bob Cratchit in Dickens “A Christmas Carole”, sitting on a high stool using a drawing desk.

With the Industrial Revolution, society saw the advent of the white collar/office worker and wide spread use of the sitting desk which became the industry standard. As computers and digital storage replaced paper work and the need for physical file storage, the sitting desk was modified only slightly and, in actuality, little has changed in a hundred years.

The Health of Sitting

With society’s well-founded concerns on health and subsequent development of ergonomics, more and more research is showing that the traditional sitting desk is bad for your health. A compendium of studies published in 2012 found that sitting for long periods of time can be hazardous to your body or as some have deemed “sitting is the new smoking”. Researchers also point out that societies without “desk jobs” do not have lower back problems that plague many Americans.

Studies have shown that sitting for long periods of time, year after year, greatly increase one’s risk of Metabolic and Cardiovascular problems. Sitting slows production of body chemicals essential for processing sugar and fat which in turn increases risk of Type 2 Diabetes as well as adversely affecting ones blood pressure.

Some studies suggest that sitting for long periods are associated with a higher risk of many forms of cancer including breast, colon, prostate, lung and ovarian. While underlying reasons are unclear, scientists have found a number of bio markers such as C-reactive protein, present in people who sit long periods.

The Dapwood Standing Desk

As part of our commitment to craft only healthy furniture, Dapwood has added our version of the Standing Desk (sometimes referred to as a “Sit Stand Desk” or a “Stand Up Desk”). We have gone beyond all other manufacturers in creating a desk that is ergonomically friendly, ecologically responsible as well as BEAUTIFUL. We believe it is the most advanced and sustainable design available today.

We start with a thick slab of “urban wood”. The tree that provided this wood is from Midwestern cities where it either came down in a storm or had to be removed for safety or road expansion. This type of wood is normally sent to the landfill, chipper or fireplace, but was rescued and given a second life- as a piece of beautiful furniture. Dapwood preserves the natural bark edge (or “live edge”) and welcomes knots, figuring, and all else unique in the slab. This natural wood is hand worked and finished with all natural oil finishes. It contains no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or toxins to provide years of eco friendly beauty.

To insure the healthiest ergonomic environment, our urban wood standing desk top is supported by an electric lift base. With the touch of a button, the desk surface can be silently raised or lowered to conform to a users exact height requirements. Standing at one’s optimum work level allows the body to adjust and move. Using and flexing muscles automatically keep blood circulating and blood sugar regulated. Posture improves and skeletal benefits promote a healthier life.

Users who wish to get a workout while working, our standing desk tops can raise high enough so that a treadmill can easily fit under the Dapwood Standing Desk. While we suppose it could be used to train for a marathon, most users have the treadmill set to a very slow pace so it doesn’t interfere with typing, writing or phone calls.

If you are looking for a healthier alternative to your sitting desk, check out Dapwood’s Standing Desk today. Our Sit-Stand-Treadmill desk combines beauty and function like no other. And with all of Dapwood’s Standing Desks, no two are alike and of course it is made in America!