August 18, 2016

Don’t Replace Prolonged Sitting With Prolonged Standing

Height adjustable desks have resulted in confusion among some people. They are not intended for prolonged sitting nor standing all day. Misconceptions have lead to people believing you should replace sitting with standing, this is not the case.

The aim is to gradually transform your inactivity at work by including regular intervals of standing into your daily routine. The process from sitting to standing should be made gradually, allowing your body to adapt to the posture change. It is recommended that desk users should progress towards 2 hours of standing per day. Divided into sections this is only 15 minute intervals per hour.

The effects of prolonged standing can be just as harmful as sitting at your office desk all day, which is why sit stand desks need to be used correctly. Prolonged standing can lead to aching muscles, feet problems, varicose veins and lower limb swelling, among many more.

Sit stand desks are there to improve health and productivity in the work force. Used correctly they can have a huge benefit on your health and well-being. Standing forces your body to work against gravity and keeps those skeletal muscle's strong. The enzymes in your body will work harder to help break down fat, meaning you will burn up to 50 more calories per hour. Move a little, lose a lot!

 

 

 

 

August 12, 2016

What Happens When We Sit Too Much?

Office staff are found among the highest to be prone to health risks such as back pain, muscle fatigue and high blood pressure, due to the amount of time they spend sitting down. 8-10 hours per day spent sat at your office desk, along with time spent travelling and leisure time can add up to a shocking amount, but not everyone is aware of the risks sedentary behaviour can cause.

We all like to take the load off our feet on a busy day at work, but spending too much time inactive can have a negative affect on our muscles. Reduced movement can cause muscles to cramp up, pull or strain, resulting in muscle fatigue and aches and pains. Prolonged sitting also causes a steady compression on the spinal discs resulting in unwanted and painful back complaints.

When we sit the enzymes responsible for burning fat shut down. The metabolic rate is reduced causing an increase in fat retention, BMI scores and unhealthy cholesterol and blood pressure results. Amazingly standing can burn up to 50 more calories per hour!

Sedentary behaviour is the 4th leading risk factor for global mortality. Help prevent this by breaking up the amount of time you spend sat at your desk. The height adjustability of a sit stand desk allows you to comfortably set the right sitting and standing height for you, making regular standing intervals easy, convenient and positively impacting your health.

Choose an ergonomic approach! Height adjustable desks are an indispensable resource for achieving better health, productivity, and reducing staff sick days.

 

August 1, 2016

Height Adjustable Desks Can Benefit Your Health

The question of “How can I stay active when I’m sat behind a desk every day?” May finally have an answer. An answer that makes perfect sense, an answer which makes you wonder why this wasn’t invented sooner, the answer is height adjustable desks.

Hawk Furniture are selling an idea that every person sitting behind a desk for many hours a day has been subconsciously been screaming out for. People have lost the realisation of how long they actually sit down per day, and that if they think about it, in a normal office job the majority of people are stood up for only a small amount of time per day.

This is largely due to the rise in technology, as many office jobs involve staring at a computer. Especially due to the fact that work notices can be provided via email, some people don’t have to stand up during their whole shift.

The versatility of the height adjustable desks means that they can be installed in any office, and that they can be used from the smallest to the tallest of workers. There have been years of work put into this product which means that only the highest quality height adjustable desk will be supplied. As well as this, there have been tests on the resulting health of people who spend all day sat down, and scientific studies show that these people are likely to live for two years less than people who are stood up for most of the day.

This doesn’t even have to be walking around all day, the fact that you are stood up means that you are more alert to your surroundings, as you are not lounged on a chair and too comfortable. You are responsive to any jobs you may get called to, and you are more focused on the work that you have to do. Standing up could also improve your mental state, if you are more prone to movement, it keeps the blood in your body pumping at a steady rate, which means that you will have a more positive mind-set as a result.

Upon reflection, there are no clear disadvantages of the height adjustable desk, as it will help you get more active, even if it is only on a small scale, and allow you to relax at home without the need of worrying about your fitness levels.

So, join Hawk Furniture in our quest to get Britain standing!

June 10, 2016

Burn Calories with Adjustable Sit Stand Desking

Is all that time spent in the gym really worth it? Recent surveys show we spend up to a remarkable 19 hours per day been sedentary. Sedentary behaviour means ‘too much sitting’ and this means less or little physical exercise. Whether you are sat at home watching TV, at work looking at a computer screen, travelling or sleeping, all these add up to a staggering harmful amount.

Burn calories at work with adjustable sit stand desking

This article by Medical Today demonstrates that a study conducted by Dr David Alter at the University of Toronto shows that 30-60 minutes of exercise per day simply won’t combat the amount of time spent sitting. Regular exercise just isn’t enough! We need to spend less time sitting.

Office workers should aim to decrease their sitting time by 2-3 hours per day. Not only will this aid towards reducing health problems such as back pain and muscle fatigue but will reduce the chances of developing diseases such as diabetes, and amazingly burn twice as many calories as sitting.

Technology today is great and with life expectancy and health to bear in mind, sit stand desks are a great invention. It’s time to invest in one today.

May 20, 2016

What To Consider With Your Sit Stand Desk

Sitting has been labelled as the new smoking but standing all day can be just as bad for you if you aren’t doing it correctly. Reports show that sit stand desking is on the up with more and more companies introducing them into the workplace. Here are a few tips on what to consider and how to get the most out of your sit stand desk.

Don’t Jump In

Allow your body and muscles to gradually adapt to the new motion and posture over time by increasing your standing periods incrementally, week by week.

Harmful Leaning

Your sit stand desk should effectively change your posture. Preventing you from been slouched forward in a chair to stood in a better upright spinal position. A common bad habit with some people and these desks is leaning. Standing with your arms leant on the desk, crossed legs or buckling your hip puts more pressure on the joints in your spine and neck. Feet should be hip width apart and for extra exercise try to avoid locking your knees and make your leg muscles work harder.

Control Software

Some of the more advanced sit stand desks offer optional extras such as software for your PC or mobile phone. This software allows you to programme a sitting and standing height that is suitable and comfortable for the individual. It will also memorise these, making it easy to switch from sitting to standing height at the click of a button. This is so simple to do and saves so much time in trying to get it to the correct height.

Commands & Prompts

Although PC software is an optional extra it is considered a no brainer for some people as it helps burn calories by sending prompts on when to stand up and how long to do it. Enter a few details such as your height, weight and how many calories you want to burn and away you go.

May 12, 2016

Transform Your Office With Screen Dividers

Office screen dividers are a clever way to transform your office space. Many people nowadays opt for large open plan office spaces as they are believed to encourage team work and collaboration. However, we all need privacy from time to time.

Adding screen dividers to your office desk will help create an individual space, for those times when you need a little bit of privacy,or simply just to concentrate on the task at hand. They create a private environment giving you the option to collaborate with colleagues or take some time away at your desk.

Floor standing screens partitions are a cost effective way to transform large spaces without modifying the building structure. They can cleverly separate and distinguish departments and offices whilst blocking out noise distractions and visual stimuli. Configurations can be easily adapted and changed to suit fit outs over time, saving time and effort.

Office screens have a dual purpose as different options can aid towards them been used as pin boards for important reminders or storage for stationery and documents. The toolbar system allows accessories to be mounted from them in the form of paper trays, stationery trays, and monitor arms, leaving your office desk clear and spacious.

Various fabric choices add colour to the office and selected carefully can incorporate and complement your company logo and design .Take a look at our previous blog where we touched on the benefits in more detail.

May 12, 2016

Essentials For The Perfect Office

Creating an office space that is practical, professional and appealing to potential customers is one of the most important things a business needs to consider. Use space effectively, and maximise potential on all different levels.

Explore the options

Take a look around the office. Are staff too cramped or too spaced out? There are a large variety of office desks in all shapes and sizes on the market today and selected carefully can help free up valuable space. Considering all the options first and having a plan can help you work out what will fit your space best, along with implementing structure and design.

Supportive Office Chairs

Most office refurbs are done on a budget and low cost office chairs seem a great way to cut back on costs, but these come with consequences. Most people consider this as false economy as they struggle to stand the test of time. Spending a little more on a supportive and comfortable office chair will not only give you a return on your investment but will keep employees happy and health. Reports today show that unsupportive office chairs have been linked to health issues.

Create Privacy

We all need a little bit of privacy from time to time whether it’s to get away from the hustle and bustle of the office and concentrate on the task at hand, or to sit down for an important discussion. Desktop screens are a great way to separate work areas and define space. They also provide colour and storage.

Space Saving Storage

We all need somewhere to hide those important documents, supplies and day to day odds and ends. The options are endless but not everyone has the space to include runs of tall cupboards, filing cabinets or easy access bookcases. Slim line pedestals and storage walls are a great way to squeeze in necessary units that help store your day to day needs.

May 12, 2016

Bespoke Office Furniture

Whether you’re looking for something a little bit different or just wanting to incorporate storage and workspace into miss-shaped areas, bespoke office furniture is a great way to add individuality and style. There’s no need to panic, the consultation and design process is as easy as can be!

Struggling with miss-shaped spaces, pokey corners or alcoves? Bespoke office furniture is a great way to incorporate that much needed storage and workspace into your working office. Made to measure units at specified dimensions will help utilize the space effectively as well as giving you somewhere to hide away those day to day folders and documents.

Open plan spaces often have large structural pillars and posts which get in the way when trying to design your office layout. Bespoke office desks will effectively work around these as well as hiding alcove and trunking.

The reception area is the first place your clients and visitors see. Why not go all out and impress them with contemporary reception desks incorporating company logos and colours. Be creative and add personality, vision and design into your company.

It’s not all about office space though educational and residential furniture can be bespoke too. The possibilities are endless when you put your mind to it.

March 11, 2016

Promote Your Company Brand Through Office Furniture

Company branding is a key feature to business, it helps differentiate you from others whilst promoting products and services. Introducing company branding into your office furniture and surroundings has numerous benefits, not only on potential customers and visitors but also on employees too. Take a look at how easy this is to achieve.

Reception areas are one of the first things your customers will see. As well as been functional and aesthetically pleasing you want it to set that first overall important impression. Introducing company logos into reception furniture will promote a sense of professionalism and dedication. Not only do they look great but they are unique and will undoubtedly help you stand out and give them something to remember!

Incorporating company colours into your office furniture is simple yet effective. There are various ways of doing this from introducing complementary MFC finishes into door and drawer fronts for all-important office storage, or as easy as choosing carefully selected fabrics for office chairs and screens.

Carefully selected colours can stimulate creativity, motivation and performance. They are a powerful way to communicate your brand and effortlessly help employees feel more connected to their job. They can aid towards transforming dull, uninviting areas into a more welcoming, lively space. Think about what you want your office furniture to say about you.

These are all invaluable ways of assisting towards great looking office furniture, gaining staff benefits and promoting your company brand.

March 7, 2016

Keeping Healthy At Work

Many people spend 8 hours a day, 5 days a week sitting at their office desk. This can cause numerous problems that impact on your health and wellbeing. Here are a couple of tips on how to keep healthy and boost energy levels throughout your day at the office.

Height Adjustable Desks

Standing is the new sitting! Height adjustable desks are proving ever popular and even more since they have been linked as a solution to health issues. Not only do they provide a wide range of flexibility but wristbands and controls with pre-set commands can help prompt individuals to get up and move, burning more of those stubborn calories . Back problems and posture issues can be a thing of the past with these great inventions.

Prevent Eye Strain

Recognise any of these symptoms; headache, difficulty focusing or increased sensitivity to light? These can all be prevented by adjusting your monitor to the correct position. Your screen monitor should be at least an arm’s length away to ensure comfortable and clear reading. This can be altered for individual needs but remember to ensure the text is clear and comfortable to read to prevent squinting.

Keep Hydrated

Water makes up 2 thirds of your body and performs a number of functions. These help towards maintaining energy levels and alertness which is all important whilst sitting at your office desk. The average amount consumed throughout the day is recommended to be 4 pints for the average person.

Interested in more tips and tricks? Take a look at these great exercises by ‘life hacker’ that can be done straight from your office chair.