The era we’re living in today is nothing like the past. People are much more conscious about their health and fitness than ever. There’s a massive range of products nowadays to facilitate people's fitness journey. If you look back a few years, these options weren’t available. Today, you’ve got no excuse when it comes to your well-being because everything that you could wish for is readily available.
Even awareness about ergonomics is at an all-time high, and everyone is striving to improve their work environments, be it in the office building, in-home offices, or classrooms.
The main reason behind this increased focus on ergonomics is that people of all ages and genders are at equal risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD), which are most commonly caused due to sitting in an incorrect posture for extended periods.
To combat this risk, the use of sit-stand workstations is on the rise. Not only are employers providing their workforce with ergonomic workstations, but even educational institutes are considering investing in sit-stand workstations for their students.
Sit-stand workstations might be just what you need to ensure that your students are comfortable in class. They minimize the risk of students developing back problems due to sitting in the wrong posture and ensure that they are able to focus better on the lectures. These are some of the benefits of sit-stand workstations for students, and it’s not just us saying it; even experts agree!
If you would like to know how sit-stand workstations can help students concentrate better in class and deliver improved results, you’ve come to the right place. This blog post will cover it all and more!
What Exactly are Sit-Stand Workstations?
As you can tell by the name, sit-stand workstations enable the user to alternate between sitting and standing to protect themselves from the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. Just like sitting continuously for several hours each day can be detrimental to your health, the same can also be said for standing. However, with sit-stand workstations, you can work while sitting and standing alternatively, so you don’t have to spend too much time in one position!
We’ve listed down some of the most noteworthy features of sit-stand workstations that set them apart from regular workstations and make them such a significant product in the world of ergonomics.
Adjustability
When it comes to workstations, there’s no one size fits all solution. The height and physique of every individual are different. The students in a classroom aren't of the same height, so how can you expect all of them to be comfortable working on the workstations of the same height? This is the first feature that sets a sit-stand desk apart from regular desks. The height of these desks can be adjusted for compatibility with the user's height. If someone is tall, they can raise the level of the desk to suit their comfort level. Similarly, if someone is short, they can lower the level of the desk as per their preference.
Sit and Stand Functionality
If you keep standing all day long, your legs will feel lifeless. You may feel too tired to even move. While standing is better than sitting, standing for extended hours isn’t good for you either. The best thing about sit-stand workstations is that they can be used as regular desks while sitting, and they can be raised to become standing desks. You can alternate between sitting and standing so that neither your back nor your feet hurt at the end of the day.
Ergonomics
Sit-stand workstations are the best ergonomic products available in the market today. With these workstations, you can ensure that all the students in the class are comfortable. Not only this, but you can also make sure that everyone’s sitting or standing in the correct posture.
When students are working in the correct posture, the risk of MSD is automatically reduced. Moreover, when students are comfortable, they’ll be able to focus on their lectures better. The more they can focus, the higher their productivity will be. We’ll discuss this in detail ahead! For now, the impressive ergonomics of sit-stand workstations are another major factor that sets these desks apart from the regular desks.
How Can Sit-Stand Workstations Improve Concentration and Productivity in the Classroom?
As we mentioned above, sit-stand workstations in the classroom can improve the concentration and productivity of the students. The question is how and that’s what we’ll be answering. The Pro Plus Standing Desk (E7) and other sit-stand workstations can change the dynamics of the classroom big time! Let’s have a look at how standing desks help students focus.
Standing Provides Energy Boost to the Brain
You may wonder how working on a sit-stand workstation provides the brain with an energy boost. Well, let’s see.
When you’re working while standing, the muscles of your lower extremities are constantly contracting and relaxing to help you maintain balance. You constantly shift weight between your legs, and while you’re at it, you’re burning calories. The body perceives this activity as a form of exercise. The energy used up is quite similar to that of a physical workout, and you experience similar mental effects, as well. This provides the brain with an energy boost (even if it’s for a short while). When the brain is energized, your focus is automatically improved.
Another way standing while working or studying energizes the brain is by activating the parts of the brain that sitting doesn’t. When the brain is activated, your problem-solving and focusing centers get activated too, and that helps you with improved concentration and memory.
Fidgeting Enhances Focus
Imagine yourself in the examination hall, appearing for an exam. All your focus is on solving the paper, but you’re still aware of your surroundings. You know there’s an invigilator on the move. You know when someone in your row asks for assistance, and the invigilator makes their way over to them. How are you able to keep track of what’s happening in your surroundings when all your focus is on the exam?
The truth is, nobody is ever 100% focused on any one thing. There’s always floating attention that connects us to our surroundings while the rest of the brain is focused on the primary task, which is giving the exam in this case.
If your floating attention diverts you somewhere else, you won’t be able to focus fully on what the teacher is teaching in the class. However, consider this problem solved when using a sit-stand workstation in the classroom.
As we mentioned earlier, your muscles are continuously working to keep your body balanced and upright when you’re standing. You shift your weight from one leg to the other. This fidgeting helps you stay focused on a primary task. Your floating memory is diverted to the fidgeting movements, and the rest of your focus can be on the lecture.
Even the smallest movements you make promote the release of dopamine and norepinephrine. This means that even the slightest physical activity can boost brain activity, and fidgeting does just that! When the activity in your brain is enhanced, your focus is improved, and so is your productivity.
Improved Ergonomics Enhance Promote Physical Wellbeing
Will you be able to perform better at work or in class if you are comfortable?
Of course, you would.
If you’re uncomfortable or in pain, your complete focus will be on your discomfort and pain, and you’ll simply fail to concentrate on the primary task. However, with sit-stand workstations, the factor of physical discomfort is pretty much omitted. You’re standing comfortably with the desktop on just the right level against your body. You won't feel any pain or discomfort around your lower back, neck, or shoulders, which is often the case with sitting in a regular chair for several hours.
This is yet another way how sit-stand workstations in the classroom can improve concentration and productivity in a classroom.
Improve Energy Levels and Stamina
Have you ever felt sleepier after waking up, even though you got 8 long hours of rest? If you sleep through the morning, your head feels heavy and dull for the rest of the day despite getting so much rest.
The same is the case with sitting for too long. When you sit in the same posture for several hours and don’t take any breaks in between for some physical activity, your energy levels will drop even though you’ve just been sitting in your chair. Lack of physical activity makes you duller and impacts your stamina. However, when you’re standing or alternating between sitting and standing, you can ensure that your body stays warmed up and active. The more active you are, the higher your productivity.
Sit-stand workstations for classrooms can have a long-lasting positive impact on the students. These ergonomic workstations will ensure that students aren’t at risk of developing MSD and provide comfort to the children. These workstations keep students active and fully attentive to what’s going on in the class.
