Are you an online teacher whose work involves hours spent in front of the computer, doing public speaking and talking to your students and checking homework and exam submissions? Online teachers have become all the more in demand during the pandemic. And even now that things are back to normal, many students continue to take online lessons to catch up or simply to learn new skills not available in their school or not part of their curriculum—like foreign language, a specialized skill like web design, and many others.

One question: how do you ensure your wellbeing as a teacher? Standing desk and other ergonomic solutions, productivity and wellbeing tools—these are some of the resources available to you. In this blog post, we’ll talk about teaching ergonomics and specifically the benefits of a standing desk, specifically its physiological benefits to a teacher.

Standing desk: What it is and how it works

For a teacher, a standing desk can be both a health and a productivity tool. It is a simple desk equipped with a height adjustability feature. This means that you can adjust it from a low sitting height to a high standing height. This capability for adjustment encourages a teacher to use a standing desk to alternate between sitting and standing as he performs his work throughout the day. In doing so, he constantly moves and keeps his muscles engaged, breaking free from a sedentary lifestyle. This offers a wide range of physical and physiological benefits.

The benefits of a standing desk

If you’re a teacher, using a standing desk will have positive impact on various facets of your life—your health, your productivity, your mood, and your overall wellbeing. Let’s start with the basics and take a look at the physiological benefits of a standing desk to a teacher.

Standing desk use improves posture

 A teacher in a traditional classroom usually stands and moves around while teaching, but online teaching has eliminated that and often confines a teacher to his desk. This often takes a toll on his posture. As he remains in a single position for long hours, the spine and the joints in the body suffer from strain and stress. One of the physiological benefits of a standing desk is movement, allowing a teacher a rhythm of sitting and standing that encourages better posture and natural spinal alignment. And, maintaining good posture can reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal issues such as back and neck pain in a teacher.

Standing desk use reduces the risk of health issues

One of the top physiological benefits of a standing desk is a lowered risk against common health problems associated with prolonged sitting, such as obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. For an online teacher, standing desk use will help reduce the amount of time spent sitting, potentially lowering the risk posed by these health problems.

Standing desk use lowers blood sugar levels

A person’s blood sugar level usually spikes after a meal. And, individuals who live a sedentary lifestyle and remain seated throughout the day, even after a meal, are at risk of health problems related to increased sugar level in the body. If you’re a teacher, using a standing desk and standing after a meal can help regulate your blood sugar levels. This is arguably one of the leading physiological benefits of a standing desk, particularly helpful for individuals with insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes.

Standing desk use reduces risk of cardiovascular disease

Sitting for long periods of time slows down the flow of blood in the body, and this can increase your risk for heart ailments. Professionals like an online teacher need a standing desk so you can keep moving throughout the day. Standing and movement keep a healthy level of blood flow in the body, and this contributes to better cardiovascular health—improved blood circulation means a reduced strain on the heart.

Standing desk use improves muscular health

One of the top physiological benefits of a standing desk is muscle health, and this impacts the entire body. If you’re a teacher who uses a standing desk and alternates between sitting and standing as you work, you engage various muscles in your body, including those in the legs, core, and back. This can contribute to better overall muscular health and prevent the weakening of various muscle groups.

Standing desk use reduces body pain

Body pain, especially back pain, appears to have become a common condition many individuals put up with. Do you know that much of this is caused by the lack of movement and the posture problem that results from this? For a teacher like you, standing desk use can put an end to back pain and discomfort, especially pain in the lower back. This can also protect your spine by reducing pressure on it, which can be harmful in the long run.

Standing desk use increases energy and alertness

Would you believe that the physiological benefits of a standing desk extend to a teacher’s performance and efficiency? Many teachers report feeling more energized and alert when using a standing desk. The act of standing can promote both oxygen and blood circulation, both of which may lead to increased oxygen flow and improved brain function. This greatly benefits performance, which helps make daily work more fun and fulfilling for a teacher.

Standing desk use enhances mood and productivity

Standing desks have been associated with improved mood and reduced feelings of stress and fatigue. It appears that a teacher who uses a standing desk and alternates between sitting and standing while working benefits from a reduction in stress levels and an increase in overall happiness, which translates to increased productivity and overall well-being.

Standing desk use helps with weight management

Do you know that a standing desk can help you manage your weight? Apparently, one of the physiological benefits of a standing desk is weight loss, due mostly to the constant movement you do when you alternate between sitting and standing. Standing burns more calories than sitting, albeit the difference may not be substantial. Over time, however, a teacher who uses a standing desk will have better chances of avoiding the risks brought by weight-related issues compared to one who stays on his seat without getting up for long hours.

All of these benefits of a standing desk can help a teacher live a healthier, better life—not only in terms of health but also in terms of increased productivity, improved engagement with students, and better overall outlook and approach on the work that you do.

However, it's important to note that while a standing desk can help a teacher enjoy various health benefits, it's crucial to ensure that you incorporate movement and breaks into your overall work routine. Simply standing for extended periods without movement may still have its own set of challenges. A balanced approach that includes a mix of sitting, standing, and moving throughout the day is often recommended for optimal health and well-being. And, don’t forget to bring movement outside of the workplace—maintain an active lifestyle in and out of work to enjoy all the benefits.

A standing desk is only the beginning. If you want to enjoy the complete benefits of a standing desk, make sure to complement this with an overall healthy lifestyle.

About Us

MotionGrey is a Canadian standing desk company that specializes in ergonomic furniture. We supply and install only the best quality standing desks and ergonomic chairs in the country. We offer free shipping within Canada and the US.

What made you switch to standing desks? Our products are designed with wellness as the focal point. From our electric standing desks to our office and gaming chairs, we deliver best value by putting your health, safety, and comfort as top priority. Boost your creativity and level up work performance. We want you to create great outcomes so we’re providing you only the best tools to make them possible.

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, check out our Refund Policy.