Stand Up

Don't be such a couch potato!  Standing is good for your health.

I follow the Dilbert comics and the latest theme is standing meetings.   Those were gaining popularity in the last years of my career and, to be perfectly honest, I hated them.   They seemed to be some manager’s solution for a too small conference room.  Eliminate the chairs and pack in more bodies.  There was no place to take notes or even enough elbow room to write.  If the meeting lasted more than five minutes, it started to smell more like a locker room than a conference room.

Nowadays, there’s a lot of talk about the health benefits of standing.  Interestingly, when I started doing a bit of research on the web, I found far more entrepreneurs selling standing desks, than health experts proclaiming their benefits.    I've heard a number of cashiers, who spend hours standing in one spot, complain of sore backs and aching feet and joints.    A Stanford medical expert notes that studies have not proven that there is any benefit in standing at a desk versus sitting at one.     Experts do agree that there is plenty of benefit from incorporating activity into your daily routine.  While regular workouts are beneficial, they caution that these should not replace regular mini-breaks at frequent intervals.  A one-minute walk on an hourly basis can help avoid health hazards related to a sedentary lifestyle.

It’s easy to be sidetracked by the latest gimmicks.  Before spending money on a standing desk, it would be smarter to take an inventory of one’s unhealthy habits and make lifestyle changes that are known to be effective.  If you’re sedentary, incorporate more activity into your day.  If you've gained weight, change your eating habits.  If you’re a smoker, get the help you need to quit smoking now.    Too often, we look for miracle products.  Ask my friend, who spent a fortune on diet programs, but spent more time reading about them than following them.  Don’t just stand there.  Get moving!