humbleworksstandingdesk

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

Portable Standing Desk for Laptop | Best Adjustable Standing Desk

Deal with your emotions & train your brain

Before we delve any deeper into sitting down, let’s take a moment to explore emotions and the role they play in our everyday health & wellbeing.

Emotions are powerful, so dealing with them head-on is one approach. By learning how to be present and tune into your surroundings, you will form solid foundations for your emotional processing abilities.

Life is busy. There will always be loads of stuff to do, but don’t allow your brain to trick you into unhealthy habits.

Every time you take on a task or activity, stop and think about it. Is what you’re doing efficient or beneficial to your life? Is there a better way to do it? Or, is what you’re doing harmful to your wellbeing?  

Try the Chair Test

When you start processing your emotions and training yourself to be more mindful, you will make positive changes consistently—which brings us back to sitting down.

As humans, we’re not built to sit for long periods—the most sedentary of activities was simply meant to be a short interval between standing and moving. But, these days it feels like we take standing intervals between sitting. The more tuned in you are and the better you are at processing your emotions, the more mindful you will be about sitting down for excessive periods. These small changes can show you visible results in your mental and physical health over the long term.

Now that you know how mindfulness and emotional processing plays a role in your daily wellbeing, let’s get back to the issue at hand:yoursitting habits. It’s time for The Chair Test.

This simple test will determine where you stand—we mean sit (no pun intended)!

It’s simple: explore these tasks and answer YES or NO. Based on your answer score, you will know the truth about your sitting habits. So, go ahead, open your eyes to reality.

You spend the first 30 mins after waking on the bed scrolling through your phone.

You drive or get a cab instead of using public transport (even though you can).

You spend more than 30mins a day idle at a stretch.

The couch has pushed in on one side where you sit.

You work sitting down because that feels productive to you.

You love all home décor that revolves around sitting like a bean bag or a dining chair.

Drinking at the bar is more exciting than standing up or moving around the room.

You love your laptop or desktop.

Picnics at the park have been your favorite lately.

Netflix viewing binges at night is a regular fixture

Score Yourself:

For eachYES you get one point.

0:Congrats, you aren’t a chair addict so you’re in the green zone.

1-2:You’re a chair pre-addict.

3-5:You’re a chair addict.

6-8: You’re a prisoner of your chair.

9-10: You’re super sedentary, it’s time to make a change.

Are you a sitting addict?

It’s time to take a STAND, literally. Never fear, here at Humbleworks HQ, we know a thing or two about the benefits of reducing your sitting time. And, we’re going to give you a few pointers on making those lifestyle tweaks that will help you work towards a happier, healthier life.

Take it one step at a time

Moving on from one sedentary activity to the next doesn’t qualify as taking a ‘one step at a time’ approach. To make a sustainable change, you have to break your excessive sitting habits.

We recommend you make changes incrementally, and at your own pace, keeping the end goal of sitting less without effort in mind at all times.

Start with the simple 30: 5 rule: move around after every 30 minutes of sitting to free your muscles and maintain your body mechanism.

Slowly move on to standing for meetings and coffee breaks, and when you’re ready, invest in a standing desk to enjoy all of those health-boosting benefits while you’re working. Baby steps lead to a greater change, the kind that sticks. So, don’t leap, take your time—you will get there in the end, and it will be worth it.

In today’s world, most of our activities are based on being idle, but there are alternative (better) ways to do things—and most of them involve moving or standing.

So, take heed of this wake-up call before it’s too late. And, if you’re looking for further inspiration, read ourguide on which standing desk to buy for your specific needs.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

Mental Health Wellness in Self-Isolation | Portable Standing Desk for Laptop

The Covid-19 outbreak has shaken the world upside down, forcing us to change the way we work and live, in every way imaginable. Our universally isolated and socially distant lifestyles can prove to be a real struggle, particularly when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.  

Working from home now becomes ‘the norm’—and for many, we know it’s a real challenge. Not all of us are equipped to live in isolation or stay away from people we love, but of course, this is a necessity at the moment until the situation subsides further. But, that doesn’t make it easy.

No matter how creative or productive you may be, maintaining mental wellness can prove challenging in our current climate. Being home can be frustrating: you may feel bored, have insomnia or also feel isolated And then, there is the matter of stress and anxiety.  

“It’s OKAY to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.” – Mandy Hale

We know that stress and anxiety is a real burden and when it gets too much, it can have a negative impact on your everyday life.

Here are are a few ways to handle anxiety and stress

To help you look after your mental health in isolation, here are some tips and hints from all of us at Humbleworks HQ.

Stay in touch with friends and family via social media or calls

You may have been busy and running around before we were thrust into a state of isolation—so take this opportunity to connect with near and dear ones. Enjoy laid back conversations filled with laughter and nostalgia. Doing so will help you feel connected and flood your brain with positivity.

Stick to a personalized routine

If you follow a routine outside of isolation, why not form one in isolation? Wake up at a consistent time each day and put together a routine that will give you purpose, flow, and motivation; maintaining a framework will help to prevent you from falling into a lethargic lifestyle while keeping you both physically and mentally supple. Sticking to a routine will also provide you with a level of focus that will help keep your anxiety at bay.

Change your mindset

It isn’t always easy, but take a little time each day to look at all the positives the isolation has given you and keep moving forward; knowing there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Find ways to be more healthy, both mentally and physically speaking, with mindfulness, fitness regimes, walking, running, cycling, music, or art.

Give priority to mental wellness

Prioritize your mental health and take steps like mindfulness and meditation to manage it. Isolation is tough, but even the slightest bit of effort and social connection can go a long way. If you’re mentally low, talk to someone you love, go outside for a walk, or focus on an activity that makes you feel good. It is all about balance and being present.

Take care of yourself

Putting the least amount of stress on your mind and body should be the top priority right now, so go ahead and take care of yourself. Enjoy a little pampering, treat yourself to something you love, enjoy a lie-in — basically anything that makes you happy, alleviates stress, and reduces your anxiety.

New beginnings

Life is not just about work, it’s about play, too. Consider the lockdown a gift of time and learn something new. We get an enormous amount of wellbeing from new challenges, so take this time to commit to achieving a new goal or learning a new skill without pressuring yourself, and start your new journey today. This positive level of focus will work wonders for your wellbeing.  

“You can’t always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.” – Wayne Dyer

Exercise for anxiety and stress

Our lives are wired in such a way that stress, unfortunately, is inevitable. But, there are exercises that can help—and we’re going to look at some now.  

When we exercise, our body releases endorphins that help alleviate stress. Also, regular exercise can improve your vitals, increase blood circulation, enhance the brain’s cognitive functions, and improve sleep quality— all key ingredients to reducing stress and anxiety.

Here are regular exercises you can try to help reduce your stress and anxiety during a lockdown:

Start by walking for 30 minutes a day, gradually increasing your pace and distance over time. If you feel like upping the intensity, you can start jogging.

Light indoor circuit or interval training indoors, in the garden or in the park.

Daily yoga: there are plenty of excellent online resources and videos to choose from.

Regular Calisthenics (body weight-based) exercises for beginners (a great way to supplement your daily walk).

“Do not let your difficulties fill you with anxiety; after all it is only in the darkest nights that stars shine more brightly.” – Ali Ibn Abi Talib

We are living in challenging times—but, by taking heed of our advice, you can help to manage your stress during the pandemic. If you need to talk to someone, here is a link to some essential resources that will help—don’t suffer in silence—we’re here for you.

If you need some guidance on your new professional situation, read our guide on what you’re entitled to when working from home.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

HumbleWorks - Standing Desks | Portable Standing Desk for Laptop

Imagine waking up fresh as a daisy, nailing your working day, and still having plenty of energy to enjoy some well-deserved family time in the evening before heading off to bed content and restful.

Sounds good, no? While it may sound like some far-fetched utopian dream, being consistently content and energized is well within your reach—all you have to do is make some tweaks to your lifestyle.

Did you know? The average person spends around  nine hours (or more) of their waking day sitting down. That’s a lot when you really think about it.

Our emotions and consciousness are so deeply rooted we space out without realizing, but our subconscious keeps us going. So, ever thought why that happens and what can you do about it?

In addition to diet, sleep, and exercise, sitting down for excessive periods of time can have a significant impact on your overall health and wellbeing. In short, if you sit down too much, you will suffer, both physically and mentally.

The reason your brain is often overwhelmed by your daily life (or just ‘struggling through’) is because it subconsciously follows a deeply etched sedentary habit.

Now, if standing is one of your main habits, you’re likely to feel better, enhance your energy levels, and flood your brain with mood enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

If you are feeling sluggish, you might be sitting down too much.

Here’s how to find out..

Deal with your emotions & train your brain

Before we delve any deeper into sitting down, let’s take a moment to explore emotions and the role they play in our everyday health & wellbeing.

Emotions are powerful, so dealing with them head-on is one approach. By learning how to be present and tune into your surroundings, you will form solid foundations for your emotional processing abilities.

Life is busy. There will always be loads of stuff to do, but don’t allow your brain to trick you into unhealthy habits.

Every time you take on a task or activity, stop and think about it. Is what you’re doing efficient or beneficial to your life? Is there a better way to do it? Or, is what you’re doing harmful to your wellbeing?  

When you start processing your emotions and training yourself to be more mindful, you will make positive changes consistently—which brings us back to sitting down.

As humans, we’re not built to sit for long periods—the most sedentary of activities was simply meant to be a short interval between standing and moving. But, these days it feels like we take standing intervals between sitting. The more tuned in you are and the better you are at processing your emotions, the more mindful you will be about sitting down for excessive periods. These small changes can show you visible results in your mental and physical health over the long term.

Try the Chair Test

Now that you know how mindfulness and emotional processing plays a role in your daily wellbeing, let’s get back to the issue at hand:yoursitting habits. It’s time for The Chair Test.

This simple test will determine where you stand—we mean sit (no pun intended)!

It’s simple:explore these tasks and answerYES or NO. Based on your answer score, you will know the truth about your sitting habits. So, go ahead, open your eyes to reality.You spend the first 30mins after waking on the bed scrolling through your phone.

You drive or get a cab instead of using public transport (even though you can).

You spend more than 30mins a day idle at a stretch.

The couch has pushed in on one side where you sit.

You work sitting down because that feels productive to you.

You love all home décor that revolves around sitting like a bean bag or a dining chair.

Drinking at the bar is more exciting than standing up or moving around the room.

You love your laptop or desktop.

Picnics at the park have been your favorite lately.

Netflix viewing binges at night is a regular fixture.

Score Yourself:

For eachYES you get one point.

0:Congrats, you aren’t a chair addict so you’re in the green zone.

1-2:You’re a chair pre-addict.

3-5:You’re a chair addict.

6-8: You’re a prisoner in your chair.

9-10: You’re super sedentary, it’s time to make a change.

Are you a sitting addict?It’s time to take a STAND, literally. Never fear, here at Humbleworks HQ, we know a thing or two about the benefits of reducing your sitting time. And, we’re going to give you a few pointers on making those lifestyle tweaks that will help you work towards a happier, healthier life.

Take it one step at a time

Moving on from one sedentary activity to the next doesn’t qualify as taking a ‘one step at a time’ approach. To make a sustainable change, you have to break your excessive sitting habits.

We recommend you make changes incrementally, and at your own pace, keeping the end goal of sitting less without effort in mind at all times.

Start with the simple30:5 rule:move around after every 30 minutes of sitting to free your muscles and maintain your body mechanism.

Slowly move on to standing for meetings and coffee breaks, and when you’re ready, invest in a standing desk to enjoy all of those health-boosting benefits while you’re working. Baby steps lead to a greater change, the kind that sticks. So, don’t leap, take your time—you will get there in the end, and it will be worth it.  

In today’s world, most of our activities are based on being idle, but there are alternative (better) ways to do things—and most of them involve moving or standing.

So, take heed of this wake-up call before it’s too late. And, if you’re looking for further inspiration, read our guide on which standing desk to buy for your specific needs.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

8 Things to Consider When Buying Your First Standing Desk - HumbleWorks.

So you've decided enough is enough and you won’t take it sitting down anymore but decided to work from a standing desk.

Great but what do you look for, how much should you pay, should it be sustainably designed? Not to worry we’re here to help….

Here is a list of 8 things that will help when considering buying a standing desk, we’ve listed them in descending order to outline the most important.

Budget

As standing desks are an excellent investment for your long-term health and wellness, we’re placing ‘budget’ with least importance. Height adjustable desks alone could set you back from £200 to £3000. If you’re tight on cash and none of these fits your budget, consider a retrofitted standing desk converter.

Weight capacity

Not all standing desks are designed to hold the average laptop and desktop. If your standing desk is expected to do some heavy lifting, remember to check the maximum weight the standing desk can hold.

Ease of assembly and user-friendly

Some standing desk requires a simple one-off installation while others may need complicated mounting. Alternatively, a retrofitted standing desk that may be collapsed and stowed away is usually excellent for hot desking or space-saving when it's not in use. Depending on your needs, choose the standing desk that offers you the most flexibility.

Work surface

If you’re the messy co-worker that the entire office is aware of or require multiple large screens, be sure to check the available work surface the standing desk offer.

Warranty

Avoid purchasing cheap standing desk substitutes that don't offer a warranty. Warranty periods for quality standing desks vary greatly; a good quality desk would come with at least three years of warranty. In case you’re wondering, HumbleWork offers five years warranty on all of our products!

Material and quality/durability

Warranty duration usually depends on the number of intricate parts the standing desk has and also the material strength of which the standing desk is made from. Cheap plastic would have a shorter product lifespan as compared to its metal or wood counterparts. You wouldn’t trust a structurally unsound standing desk to hold your $2000 computer. The material that gives you the best value for your dollar would be good old sustainable wood.

Versatility, maximum and minimum height

Apart from its core functionality, some standing desks offer additional functions such as built-in speakers. More importantly, it is essential to check the height adjustment range of the standing desk to best suit your ergonomic needs.

Ergonomics

Lastly, we consider the most critical factor when buying your standing desk as posture, after all this is what you are primarily looking to address.

A height adjustable 'Standing desk' does not comply with our ergonomic needs. Although it raises your laptop, you will soon find yourself standing bent over looking down at the screen. This exacerbates upper cross syndrome. An ideal standing desk allows you to work comfortably facing straight ahead.

Hope you’ve gathered all the information you need to purchase your first standing desk. Feel free to send across any queries and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Happy standing!

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

Adjustable Standing Desks | Portable Standing Desk - Humble Works

Let’s start with the overall well-being of employees. If their jobs involve them spending long hours sitting behind a desk, then I could begin to wreak havoc with their health if they don’t dedicate some time to exercise and maintain healthy eating habits. Well-being isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ along with growth strategies and hitting targets anymore. It should be fully integrated with any company’s agenda. The truth is that if you’re not looking after your employees, you can’t expect them to look after your company and your customers. Ignorance is mutual, and it is the higher managements’ job to set the example. It can be seen that many companies have started seeing well-being programs seriously. 2017 was a milestone year as 70% of US employers introduced them from 58% in 2015.

Physical health is the main reason why wellbeing at work matters as 64% of adults in the UK are classified as overweight or obese. Both cases have a significant impact on absenteeism because of which many companies lose a lot of money each year. Furthermore, staying fit helps to develop a sharper memory which makes one a faster learner, as well as can result in prolonged mental stamina.

Companies that introduced wellbeing programs strongly benefited in recruitment and retention. By offering their employees additional perks, they are standing out among the competitors when it comes to attracting top clients. It simply improves the company's reputation.

Having said that promoting physical activity among employees can drive several benefits for the business, unfortunately, we must note that exercise cannot offset the risks of sitting…  Standing up for just 10 minutes every hour, on the other hand, can.

According to a 2017 survey out of the Society for Human Resource Management, standing desks are the fastest-growing benefits trend. 13% of employers provided or subsidized them in 2013 and 44% did so in 2017.

Why are you asking? A 2014 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that standing desks reduced the sedentary time by more than three hours a week, they increased the sense of wellbeing and gave energy, as well as decreased fatigue and appetite. Another study conducted by Texas A&M University at a call center found that productivity increased by 46% when using standing desks in comparison to colleagues who didn’t. Furthermore, in both studies, employees felt less trapped by working in an office.

“Once you get used to using a standing desk, there’s just no going back- now I can stand for hours on end, and sometimes have to remind myself to give my legs a break. I feel restless and lethargic if I have to sit down all day” - Rachel Krantz, Senior Features Editor at Bustle.

It might be difficult to answer the question of what are the costs of not buying a standing desk for your business with a specific number as it depends on the size of your company, employer’s salary, etc. However, not having at least one in your office can lead to missing all of the above benefits. Remember happy employees, happy customers, profitable business.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

Keep your home working life healthy, consistent & sustainable with our ‘M.S.S’ method

By too much sitting still, the body becomes unhealthy, and soon the mind. This is nature’s law."—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1839.

As we migrate towards an increasingly hyper-connected digital age, remote working is on the rise.

COVID-19 has seen us drifting in and out of lockdown for almost a year now, with no clear cut end in sight. But, despite the abundance of stress and challenges the pandemic presents, it has proved the feasibility of remote working.

The virus has forced businesses across sectors to digitally transform in recent times—and many are noticing that people are maintaining or even exceeding productivity levels when working from home.

While this may be the case, working from home doesn’t suit everyone. If you’re working from home for the foreseeable future and you’re struggling to stay motivated, or your wellbeing levels are starting to dwindle, we have a method that might help.

Our ‘M.M.R’ method is simple yet effective and will you maintain your physical wellbeing while staying motivated while working from home.

But first, let’s look at the main factors barriers to health and wellbeing when remote working.

Common home working health threats  

According to a mix of studies, here are the main factors that affect our health and wellbeing when working from home for extended periods:

Forming poor habits: WIthout the commute or separation from the home, many remote workers are unable to establish healthy routines. As a result, inconsistent eating times, poor dietary choices, and constant temptation are having a negative impact on physical and mental wellbeing.

Work/life lines being blurred: Without physically going to the office or workplace, many people find the lines between their home and work life becoming blurred. This heavy burden can drive down motivation levels, causing a reduction of exercise or physical activity while affecting contentment levels.

Inadequate work set up and poor posture: Poorly set up makeshift home offices, bad equipment, and continually questionable posture not only impact motivation levels, but are causing long lasting health issues. Without being nipped in the bud, these issues could create an entire generation of unhealthy workers in the not so distant future.

Stay healthy & happy with our ‘M.M.R’ method

The physical and mental health threats to working from home—poor posture or an inadequate environment being the main culprits—are very real.

In addition to establishing a solid routine and making healthier food choices, our ‘M.M.R’ method will help you remain focused, active, and engaged throughout the day—and it’s simple.

Here it goes:

Move: Regular movement will promote good blood circulation, boost metabolism, and help to prevent feelings of sluggishness. Aim to get up, stretch, loosen your limbs or take a little walk around your home for a minute or so every 30 to 40 minutes. It will help.

Separate: In addition to moving frequently, you should aim to separate from your work completely twice during the day. By stepping away from your desk completely, taking a moment to clear your mind, and doing something unrelated to the task at hand, you will feel refreshed, revived, and motivated when you return to your desk. Doing this will also give your days a little more balance. Even if you're busy, 20 minutes at a time will do. Go for a stroll outside, cook something up from scratch, play the guitar, do a little sudoku, have a bath....the choice is yours. Just make sure you separate a couple of times a day.

Stand: Sitting down for prolonged periods is associated with a raft of physical and mental health issues. Humans aren’t designed to sit down all day, so one of the best things you can do while working is stand up. Standing up will help you feel more motivated while making moving and separating easier to do during the day. Start small, standing for an hour or two a day, and lengthen your horizontal working stint over time.

Take a stand...

If you’re looking to stay happy, healthy, and motivated when working from home, our ‘M.S.S’ method will help keep you on your toes and maintain motivation levels day after day.

The most important part of the method is taking a stand. Standing at work can lower your risk or weight gain as well as heart disease, improve your posture, and boost your energy levels.

At HumbleWorks HQ, we’ve developed a range of sustainably made, portable standing desks designed to reduce back pain and optimise your performance. It’s time to take a stand—it’s time to invest in your future.

Get yourself a standing desk, follow our ‘M.S.S’ method, and for further wellness-boosting tips, read our practical guide to fostering good habits & improving your health when working from home.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

What You are Entitled to When Working from Home | Portable Standing Desk - HumbleWorks

As the COVID-19 storm rages on, it looks like we’re buckling down for at least a few more weeks of home working, maybe more.

If you’re one of the droves of professionals working from home during the coronavirus outbreak, there are certain standards that your employer needs to meet to ensure a safe, secure, and sustainable working environment.

Yes, as a home worker, there are things  you are entitled to right now.

The question is—Are you getting them?

Sector, industry or role aside, your employer has a duty of care to you as a homeworker. There  are  minimum requirements that your boss needs to meet. And, to make sure you get what you deserve, we’re going to tell you what they are right here.

What you are entitled to as a homeworker

If you are working from home for the foreseeable future, looking after your health is essential.

Maintaining optimum levels of happiness and personal wellbeing shouldn’t be some far-flung luxury, it needs to be a priority.

Here’s what your employer should be offering to help enhance your wellbeing when you’re working from home.

Access to software & communicative tools

To ensure you can work to the best of your ability while gaining access to personal support when you need it, your employer is required to provide you with seamless access to the right digital tools.

You should be equipped with the tools to collaborate with your colleagues and talk to your boss or senior staff should you need professional, emotional or practical support. Without this level of functionality or connectivity, your productivity and wellbeing will suffer.

If you feel that you lack the appropriate applications or software to connect, collaborate, and access support, you should bring this up with your employer, immediately.

Office equipment.

When you’re working for home, your employer should provide the office tools and equipment that will empower you to work fluidly and in a way that will benefit your health.

Poor posture and substandard office equipment are proven to hinder longterm health while degenerating levels of wellbeing while at work.

That said, you are entitled to:

A high-quality laptop stand or standing desk.

Up to date ergonomic hardware such as a laptop, mouse, and keyboard.

Appropriate chairs, desks, and organisational tools, if required.

Again, if you feel that your existing equipment is detrimental to your health and wellbeing, talk to your employer and ask how they can help.

A safe & healthy working environment

By law, every employee should have access to a safe, healthy working environment. If your home working situation isn’t safe and not designed with your longterm health and wellbeing in mind, you have a right to request reasonable adjustments.

If there is an aspect of your home working environment that you believe is unsafe or causing you physical and mental distress, you should document what you feel needs to change and approach your employer.

This Citizens Information guide will help to steer you in the right direction.

The perils of poor posture & bad work habits

It’s clear that your employer should play a pivotal role in your wellbeing when working from home. And, to put this duty of care into a living, breathing perspective, here the reasons that poor posture, prolonged sitting, and bad work habits are terrible for you:

Longevity: Studies show that by reducing excessive sitting to three hours a day, it’s possible to boost your life expectancy by two entire years. On the contrary, sitting down hunched over your desk is likely to shorten your life expectancy.

Vitality: Completely sedentary work situations and lifestyle are known to be as detrimental to your health as smoking.

Complications: Poor posture at work is linked to a wealth of chronic health conditions including heart disease, spinal deformations, varicose veins, anxiety, and an increased risk of a variety of cancers.

Performance: Poor dietary choices as a result of imbalanced work schedules and bad work habits are linked to poor productivity and performance. On the flip side, a good diet and standing at your desk will optimise your abilities and flood your body with energy.

“Self-care is how you take your power back.”–Lalah Delia

Essentially, fostering good habits, working with the right tools, and standing for long periods will enhance your working from home health and wellbeing, significantly.

As much as it’s down to your personal initiative and choices to ensure you stay healthy at work and increase your chances of a long, happy existence—your employer is obliged to help. So, make sure you get what you deserve.

If you’re allocated a budget for better work tools and equipment, one of our eco-friendly, ergonomic, and completely portable standing desks will help you optimise your performance while protection your health and wellbeing, not only in the short-term but long into the future.

Why stand? As humans, we are designed to stand for long periods and as such, avoiding prolonged periods of sitting is one of the best things you can do for your longterm health.

Plus, by filling your body with oxygen-rich blood, you will feel happy, energised, and ready to take charge of your workday. Essentially, it’s the smart thing to do.

If you feel like your current working from home situation is bad for you, it’s time to take charge and do something about it. Contact your employer, explain the issue (or issues), and get the tools as well as the support you deserve, now.

Even if you’re set to migrate back to the office when the time comes, you could be working from your home for some time. Even a few weeks can have a significant impact on your longevity, so don’t let your current setup slowly kill you. Once again: take action, ask your employer for help.

We hope this information helps and for more invaluable insights, check out our four essential working from home wellbeing tips.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

4 Key HR Metrics Affected by Workplace Design | Standing Desks - HumbleWorks

The roles and responsibilities for Human Resources (HR) vary significantly with organisation size and industry.

It could entail everything that deals with people and issues related to people such as compensation and benefits, recruiting and hiring employees, onboarding employees, performance management, training, and organisation development and culture.

In all but a few organisations human resources roles stop short of impacting the physical environment. Workplace design has a profound impact on the employee health and wellbeing and in turn on performance, engagement and morale but this responsibility rests with real estate or facilities teams which, more often than not, are not responsible for HR metrics.

We conducted a detailed analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) for HR professionals to understand which metrics are most affected by office design and environment.

Here are the top four:

Employee Surveys: Surveys have been the most important source of getting employee feedback. They measure employees’ satisfaction with different elements of their job like the relationship with peers and bosses, rewards and recognition, training and development, tools and facilities, office environment and company mission and values. Physical elements required to do your job are always a key consideration. For example, it is the second question in Gallup’s Q12 survey. The Leesman Index goes much further and more profound. It identifies individual, focused work as the most critical activity, desks and chairs as the most important physical features and environmental factors like temperature, noise, natural light and cleanliness in the top ten. In short, ergonomics have a significant impact on employee satisfaction.

Absenteeism: Last year Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK concluded that 21.4% of all work days lost were due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that occur due to poor workplace design and lack of ergonomic considerations. A further 50% of absenteeism was attributed to stress, depression and anxiety – conditions aggravated by poor ventilation, lack of natural light, inefficient space utilisation and poor office design.

Turnover/ Retention: The first symptoms of disengaged and stressed employees is a rise in absenteeism. Over time this turns into a higher turnover and lower retention. There’s a vast body of academic work that demonstrates a high correlation between the quality of work environment and employees’ intent to quit. One recent study concludes, “Employees are significantly less likely to intend to quit their job if they perceive it to be a good working environment.”

Employee Net Promoter Score (ENPS): It is a metric to gauge how willing the employees are to recommend their workplace to friends and acquaintances. If workplace facilities and the environment is driving employees away, then they are not going to recommend others to join.

In our experience organisational structures with greater collaboration between facilities management, human resources, procurement and on-site teams lead to holistic solutions and balanced outcomes. Most importantly the physical and social cultures are aligned.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

Adjustable Standing Desks for Home | Ergonomic Stand Up Desks

The Ideal Workspace for Creativity & ProductivityDo you feel lazy, unmotivated or disengaged when you walk into your workspace?

Why not try to amp it up? Whether you’re in the office or at home,  you should create a space that talks to you on a personal level — a space that motivates you to work, one that inspires you.

Operating in an environment where you can engage, collaborate, connect and produce freely while remaining calm and relaxed is the key to success.

To help you create a desktop space that improves your posture at work while enhancing your physical as well as mental wellbeing, we’ve got a few tips up our collective sleeve—and we’re going to share them with you, right now.

Seven rock-solid tips to create a workspace that inspires and motivates

Get your ergonomics just right

Trendy workspace furniture is a must, but as trends change, your choice and expectations will change too. But, while keeping up with the latest trends is nice, comfort and practicality will form the foundations of an inspiring, productive workplace—that’s where ergonomics comes in.

Ergonomic designs will reduce the odds of an injury, provide comfort, give your back the support it needs and of course, improve your posture. When it comes to peak physical and mental wellbeing in the workplace, investing in the right furniture is essential—check out the Humbleworks adjustable wooden standing desk(it will make a stylish and practical addition to your home office).

Keep your eyes on the goal

The key to sustainable workspace success is organisation—so when you’re setting up your new office, always keep this in mind (this is the ‘prize’, as it were). Having vision boards and setting goals will motivate you to keep on track with your workspace improvements.

With your ergonomics considered and your organisational goals set, you should add mementoes as well as pictures or items that will help you feel calm, happy, and inspired.

If you furnish your workspace with things that remind you of your mission and values, you will urge yourself to work harder.

Don’t forget about space, lots of it

Believe it or not, moving around frequently will help boost your productivity. So, create enough space to move around your workspace freely—it will help you remain creative, motivated, and inspired throughout the day. Sitting excessively is detrimental to your wellbeing, hence having the space to stand and move around will help you stay healthy while optimising your workspace. Our body needs to move every 30 minutes, else muscles start to lose their flexibility. A high table coupled with regular screen breaks are key to remaining energised and productive—sit less, stand up, move more—it’s that simple.

Reflect your personality

Your workspace is a reflection of who you are, so fill it with a combination of inspirational elements to create a space filled with positivity, creativity and productivity. As we said, every small personalisation you make will create an emotional connection with your workspace. The more you express yourself through your personality, the more you are likely to express your creativity. It’s like a flow, where one concept leads to another—a productive domino effect that will boost your success in the workplace.

Give that coffee priority

Introducing regular coffee (or general drinks) breaks into your work routine will serve you a reason to get up and move. Going for a coffee will get you away from your desk giving you the freedom to move around, relaxing your muscles while enhancing blood circulation. You don’t necessarily have to have coffee but that five-minute break will help you keep your energy levels up—getting away from your desk will also give you a chance to change the environment and connect with that all-important lightbulb moment.

Stay clean and messy

Einstein quoted, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”.

There are two types of people: those who gain clarity and inspiration from a neat desk and those that get motivation from a messier, more cluttered space.

If you prefer a slightly busier workspace, don’t feel compelled to tidy it within an inch of its life—do what works for you. Think about which type of environment makes you more comfortable and go with it. As we said, providing your ergonomics are in check and you have a system, you will do just fine.

Match your decor

Put together the elements that work best for you—be it in your office, cubicle or at home.

For example, you can paint your wall a colour that matches your workflow and makes you happy: having too much white can feel empty while having dark can feel dull. Strike the right balance by choosing a colour scheme that suits you, and you’ll be flooded with good vibrations every working day.

Plants also make an excellent addition to any workspace as they increase oxygen flow while enhancing wellbeing. Plus, plants are also known to create an environment that increases productivity. Go for as much sunlight as possible, or in lieu of that, go for good lighting, it will make a huge difference.

Create a space that makes you happy and attracts healthy vibes and you will reap great rewards.

We hope these tips help you to boost your workspace productivity just like they did for us at Humbleworks HQ.

Working at home? Here are some more tips on how to boost your everyday health and professional wellbeing.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

HumbleWorks - Portable Standing Desk | Adjustable Standing Desks for Home

Think You Have Put On Weight During Lockdown? 

We all have that fear of putting on a few pounds here and there. 

But, when fear becomes reality, you’re often left wondering what went wrong. And, if you put on pounds this lockdown, there is so much more to it than you might think.

According to a recent survey, 47% of British Nationals acknowledge that they have gained weight since the lockdown started back in March—a relatively high number but with multiple root causes. Many people stay at home or work from home and still manage to keep fit, so what went wrong during the lockdown period?

The lockdown had been physically and mentally exhausting on every one since people aren’t generally used to living in an isolated environment, let alone staying away from their loved ones. 

To top that, the work from home concept became stressful for some, though it was inevitable. 

Even at HumbleWorks HQ, we put on a few collective pounds ourselves.  

Here’s what we believe caused this dilemma.

Here’s why you may have gained those pounds during a lockdown:

Stress

Many of us may not realize it but stress is a trigger for multiple things. During the lockdown, your stress levels may have risen due to working from home-related burnout, feelings of uncertainty, lack of socialisation, and financial concerns, among many other reasons. Stress not only impacts you mentally with anxiety, and in extreme cases depression, but it can also trigger binge-eating habits as well as increased cortisol levels that promote fat storage in your body - a contributor to weight gain.

Turning into a couch potato

We understand that working from home was necessary in the interest of your safety—and the safety of others—but, turning into a couch potato was not. Sitting for a prolonged period on your couch or chair may well have added to your weight gain. Also, entertaining yourself in isolation may have proved an equally hazardous contributing factor —like playing video games, binging on Netflix, connecting on social calls for hours on end to keep in touch, or staying in bed though sheer lack of motivation. There are many factors here, you name it, and all are equally responsible for sitting for prolonged periods But, remember: sitting is a slow killer associated with multiple health issues.

Comfort eating

Comfort eating became more like a ‘quarantine diet’ in lockdown. Due to food shortages and logistical roadblocks, many decided that cooking frozen food or ordering takeaways most days was so much easier than cooking healthy food —not to mention the increased alcohol intake.

Lack of a routine

Mass quarantine destroyed our regular routines for months on end.

This level of upset inevitably fostered new, unhealthy habits due to physical barriers and mental fatigue. In these cases, reaching for the remote control was often so much easier than creating new daily rituals. And, of course, less movement and exercise means more weight gain.

Now that you know what went wrong, why not find a way to make a change?

Check out these tips that helped us at HumbleWorks to gain back our ground while still working from home.

Here’s how you can still maintain yourself if you’re isolating or working from home or still in lockdown:

Settle into a new routine

Putting your life together with a routine is a lot of work but it isn’t impossible. Take time to sort through your priorities and jot down a list of activities to add to your routine, arranging your time as you would when you used to commute to work. Setting allocated time for meals, chores, exercise, and work will help you maintain a solid level of health while working towards your goals.

Make insightful choices

Stressing about weight gain creates a negative impact on the body and mind. So, the best way to tackle it is to make insightful choices.

Address diet changes by swapping unhealthy food for healthy calories—or go for a caloric deficit if you want to limit your food intake. If you don’t like the gym, choose an activity you can do outdoors locally or at home. Every mindful choice you make will get you one step closer to a happier and healthier life—so keep working towards those goals, step by step.

Find more excuses to move

It is quite obvious by now that a lack of movement leads to being unfit. So, find every opportunity you get to move around, be it strutting around the house or putting together a simple exercise regime. At the moment, many people are investing in the services of virtual personal trainers or trying out YouTube fitness videos—both are effective.

Try moving enough to achieve 10,000 steps a day; if you usually drive to the shop, walk instead (if it’s close enough). Take the steps instead of the escalator/elevator. Walk around the garden—the point is, do whatever works for you.

All that movement will gradually start making your muscles more flexible and start burning stored fats.

Give ergonomics a thought

When choosing tools or furniture, ergonomics are essential. Turn a blind eye to generic furniture and invest in the ergonomic kind—items specially designed to provide comfort while creating a healthy, efficient work environment in your place of choosing.

Utilizing a standing desk can help you work while standing and enable movement while improving your posture.  

Standing at work will change your life for the better while helping you keep those pounds down—and that alone makes a standing desk excellent investment, indeed.

A piece of advice: check out the HumbleWorks range of ergonomic concepts and improve your health today.

Now that things are getting more streamlined and the situation is slowly reaching the ‘new normal’, we are still going to be in lockdown from time-to-time. So, why not poach on the above tips and get yourself a new routine till you find your footing, to get to a healthier YOU.

For more essential advice on wellbeing,  check out our blog on ‘Mental Health in Isolation’.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

Wooden Laptop Riser for Desk | Adjustable Standing Desks for Home

Are You Sitting Too Much?  It’s Time To Find Out!

Imagine waking up fresh as a daisy, nailing your working day, and still having plenty of energy to enjoy some well-deserved family time in the evening before heading off to bed content and restful.

Sounds good, no? While it may sound like some far-fetched utopian dream, being consistently content and energized is well within your reach—all you have to do is make some tweaks to your lifestyle.

Did you know? The average person spends around nine hours (or more) of their waking day sitting down. That’s a lot when you really think about it.

Our emotions and consciousness are so deeply rooted we space out without realizing, but our subconscious keeps us going. So, ever thought why that happens and what can you do about it?

In addition to diet, sleep, and exercise, sitting down for excessive periods of time can have a significant impact on your overall health and wellbeing. In short, if you sit down too much, you will suffer, both physically and mentally.

The reason your brain is often overwhelmed by your daily life (or just ‘struggling through’) is that it subconsciously follows a deeply etched sedentary habit.

Now, if standing is one of your main habits, you’re likely to feel better, enhance your energy levels, and flood your brain with mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

If you are feeling sluggish, you might be sitting down too much.

Here’s how to find out.

Deal with your emotions & train your brain

Before we delve any deeper into sitting down, let’s take a moment to explore emotions and the role they play in our everyday health & wellbeing.

Emotions are powerful, so dealing with them head-on is one approach. By learning how to be present and tune into your surroundings, you will form solid foundations for your emotional processing abilities.

Life is busy. There will always be loads of stuff to do, but don’t allow your brain to trick you into unhealthy habits.

Every time you take on a task or activity, stop and think about it. Is what you’re doing efficient or beneficial to your life? Is there a better way to do it? Or, is what you’re doing harm to your wellbeing?  

When you start processing your emotions and training yourself to be more mindful, you will make positive changes consistently—which brings us back to sitting down.

As humans, we’re not built to sit for long periods—the most sedentary of activities was simply meant to be a short interval between standing and moving. But, these days it feels like we take standing intervals between sitting. The more tuned in you are and the better you are at processing your emotions, the more mindful you will be about sitting down for excessive periods. These small changes can show you visible results in your mental and physical health over the long term.

Try the Chair Test

Now that you know how mindfulness and emotional processing plays a role in your daily wellbeing, let’s get back to the issue at hand: your sitting habits. It’s time for The Chair Test.

This simple test will determine where you stand—we mean sit (no pun intended)!

It’s simple: explore these tasks and answer yes or NO. Based on your answer score, you will know the truth about your sitting habits. So, go ahead, open your eyes to reality.

You spend the first 30mins after waking on the bed scrolling through your phone.

You drive or get a cab instead of using public transport (even though you can).

You spend more than 30mins a day idle at a stretch.

The couch has pushed in on one side where you sit.

You work sitting down because that feels productive to you.

You love all home décor that revolves around sitting like a bean bag or a dining chair.

Drinking at the bar is more exciting than standing up or moving around the room.

You love your laptop or desktop.

Picnics at the park have been your favourite lately.

Netflix viewing binges at night is a regular fixture.

Score Yourself:

For each, you get one point.

0:Congrats, you aren’t a chair addict so you’re in the green zone.

1-2: You’re a chair pre-addict.

3-5: You’re a chair addict.

6-8: You’re a prisoner of your chair.

9-10: You’re super sedentary, it’s time to make a change.

Are you a sitting addict?

It’s time to take a STAND, literally. Never fear, here at Humbleworks HQ, we know a thing or two about the benefits of reducing your sitting time. And, we’re going to give you a few pointers on making those lifestyle tweaks that will help you work towards a happier, healthier life.

Take it one step at a time

Moving on from one sedentary activity to the next doesn’t qualify as taking a ‘one step at a time’ approach. To make a sustainable change, you have to break your excessive sitting habits.

We recommend you make changes incrementally, and at your own pace, keeping the end goal of sitting less without effort in mind at all times.

Start with the simple30:5 rule: move around after every 30 minutes of sitting to free your muscles and maintain your body mechanism.

Slowly move on to standing for meetings and coffee breaks, and when you’re ready, invest in a standing desk to enjoy all of those health-boosting benefits while you’re working. Baby steps lead to a greater change, the kind that sticks. So, don’t leap, take your time—you will get there in the end, and it will be worth it.

In today’s world, most of our activities are based on being idle, but there are alternative (better) ways to do things—and most of them involve moving or standing.

So, take heed of this wake-up call before it’s too late. And, if you’re looking for further inspiration, read our guide on which adjustable standing desk to buy for your specific needs.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

The ABCs Of Illness Due To A Sedentary Lifestyle

Have you ever thought about how you sit for a prolonged time and still don’t realize it, let alone realize the effects it has on your body?

Studies suggest that the average office worker spends75% of their day sitting down at their standing desk. And if you are a sedentary worker, if you’re not stuck at the office glued to the screen, you’re, you’re swiping or scrolling through your cell phone—which frankly, is just an extension of prolonged sitting.

Sitting down for long periods of time at an office desk (or anywhere else for that matter) is detrimental to our health in a number of ways—but the crazy thing is, most people don’t know it.

The concept of sitting in moderation is a concept that has been lost.Good posture is essential to a healthy, happy life—as is standing up more—and we’re going to explain why.

We’re not designed to sit but to stand and to move and as much as sitting can bring more comfort or relief to your body, just like too much sugar, too much of it will have its consequences.

So, to help you on your way to a healthier, happier existence, we’re going to give you a peek into the ABCs of the health issues caused by a super sedentary lifestyle.

A – Ageing

A pivotalstudy shows that a sedentary lifestyle accelerates ageing. When Telomere (a nucleotide sequence of DNA) of two different lifestyles (one active and the other inactive) were compared and repeatedly recorded, the active one had longer telomere, while the inactive one had a shorter telomere (this had shortened with every recording, showing slow degeneration). Since telomere is a marker for a person’s biological age, it’s clear that inactivity accelerates ageing. Also, the health issues caused by sitting indirectly impact the ageing process.

B – Blood pressure

Immobility and lack of physical activity of the body results in hypertension or high blood pressure as it goes unregulated. If you move more and invest in a standing desk while at work, you will stand a far greater chance of keeping your blood pressure at a safe level.

C – Cholesterol

It’s no secret:Too much-sitting results in weight gain, but when that weight starts showing around the hips and waist, you are at an increased risk of high cholesterol levels which can lead to serious heart conditions.

D – Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Immobility in the body reduces blood circulation. The blood pools in certain parts of the body causing blood clots which can lead to issues like DVT. This is a serious health issue where long-term effects can result in the inability to walk properly or worse, lose the ability to walk completely.

H – Heart problems

When we sit for a long period, our body’s fat-burning ability is drastically reduced,  resulting in poor blood circulation as well as a build-up of fatty acids. When these acids have nowhere to go they settle in the arteries, blocking the entry and exit of blood to the heart—a recipe for disaster.

I – Inactivity

The human body’s purpose is to move and we are structured to stand, not sit. Every time we sit for a prolonged period, we invite a new health problem that has short and long term repercussions. Inactivity does harm to your body more than you may think.  By improving your posture at work and moving more, you can avoid this plethora of health issues.

M – Mental health issues like depression and anxiety

Sitting not only causes physical but also mental health issues—those that typically go unnoticed. When you sit for too long, you can lose the motivation to do anything. When you lose motivation, you tend to go outdoors less that will deprive your brain of fresh air, vitamin D or social interaction, thus creating feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression.

N – Nerve damage

Too much sitting can numb the whole body while creating a series of blood clusters. Similarly, sitting also numbs the nerves, which bears a lot of pressure and can lead to chronic damage.

O – Obesity

Sitting for longer periods has strong links to weight gain. This happens as a result of decreased lipoprotein lipase activity which creates a negative impact on the body’s ability to burn fat. When the fat burning process slows down, the body burns carbohydrates instead of fat which means that weight is not lost at all. Even if you follow a low-calorie diet, sitting for extended periods will significantly reduce your body’s ability to burn fat.

P – Poor posture

We slouch all the time and sitting elevates the effects of slouching, causing neck, back, shoulder and hip pain in the process. Poor posture often leads to a variety of chronic health and mobility problems which naturally, will have a negative impact on your quality of life���so keeping tabs on it is incredibly important.

S – Sugar

Inactivity puts stress on the cells to produce insulin which spikes blood sugar with too much pressure. Both of these factors combined can become a big contributing factor in diabetes.

T – Type 2 Diabetes

People with a sedentary lifestyle are at a significantly increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.Inactivity tends to weaken the muscles that result in lower insulin sensitivity which, in turn, raises the chances of contracting diabetes.

V – Varicose veins

When you’re immobile for a long time, your blood circulation slows down to the point that blood starts collecting in various parts of your body, giving rise to spiderweb-like networks called varicose veins. These result in swollen legs, calves, and ankles. Though it’s possible to treat this condition, ignoring varicose veins can lead to more serious conditions like blood clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

W – Weak legs and glutes/muscles

Being idle stops the muscles from getting any form of workout. So, instead of making them flexible, we loosen them up. Loose muscles are unable to help us stand or support our body properly, thus weakening the legs and glutes. You might think that exercising will compensate for your continuous sitting habits, but it won’t undo the damage sitting has already done to your body internally. As such, standing up at work and commitment to moving more frequently is essential if you want to avoid the health issues mentioned here.

Now that you know the many hidden side effects of sitting too much, you can make a change for the better. In addition to eating and sleeping better, getting more exercise, and improving your general posture and perhaps investing in the right standing desk will improve your lifestyle tp no end.

Explore our selection of specialist standing desks and make a change for the better, today.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

The horrible Things That Could Happen to You If You Sit For Too Long – HumbleWorks.

The first link between illness and sitting was observed in 1950. When researchers found out that bus drivers were twice more likely to have heart attacks than their bus conductor colleagues. It’s believed excessive sitting slows the metabolism, which affects our ability to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure.

You might be thinking now it isn’t you, but think again. Think about your time commuting to and back from work, watching your favourite show, having lunch etc., it begins to sum up. Unfortunately, the human body is not made to sit down this much. Despite the time of your daily training, this may still now be enough. According to Peter T.Katzmarzyk, Ph.D.

“Even within physically active individuals, there was a strong association between sitting and risk mortality. This is an important observation because it suggests that high amounts of sitting cannot be compensated for with occasional leisure time physical activity even if the amount exceeds the current minimum physical activity recommendations” T.Katzmarzyk,Ph.D.

It is indeed difficult to realize how such an innocent act can damage our body in any way, but it does. “We are made up of 360 joints and over 700 muscles that move your skeleton. Our vascular and nervous system depend on movement to function” says Mohamed Taha, clinical director at Form Clinic. So here is a list of everything that could happen to you.

Posture Problems

It may occur as a surprise to you but sitting puts more pressure on your spine than standing. The disks in your back are meant to expand and contract as you move so they can properly absorb blood and nutrients. Unfortunately, when you sit the disks are compressed and can lose flexibility over time

Neck and shoulders. “The average person is not able to sit down for more than three minutes without falling into a slumped or slouched posture” Mohamed Taha explains. It leads to strains to your cervical vertebrae along with permanent imbalances, sore shoulders and back. We are sure you have suffered it more than once after the whole day at work.

Legs and Hips

Muscle Degeneration. “If you don’t use them, you lose them”. Sitting all day does not require support from your lower body muscles to hold you up and causes muscles atrophy. Weakening of these muscles highly increases your risk of injury.

Varicose Veins. Sitting causes poor circulation in your legs, which causes spider veins, and that just yuck! However, if that’s not enough it can further lead to swollen ankles and blood clots known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Brain Damage

Sitting down has an impact on the fresh blood and oxygen going through your brain. This does not only slow down brain functions but also negatively affect your endorphins levels. This means that sitting not only affects your physical health, but also mental wellbeing.

Digestion

This one seems kind of obvious. If you don’t move you don’t lose weight. Sitting at a desk reduces a person’s energy expenditure because the body’s major muscle groups aren’t being utilized and calorie burning minimizes us. After an extender period this can lead to weight gain and in severe cases obesity.

Sitting at a desk all day impairs the body’s ability to handle blood sugar, causing a reduced sensitivity to the hormone insulting, which helps carry glucose from the blood into cells where it can be used for energy.

Cancer Risk

Emerging studies suggest that prolonged sitting can increase your risk of certain types of cancer, including uterine, colon and lung cancers. The reasons for this aren’t clear yet, however an additional impact sitting has on the last one is the compression from the posture, which results in less space for your lungs to expand when you breathe.

Heart

“Too many of us are tied to our desks, and research shows that this could be increasing our risk of developing heart diseases” says Chris Allen, senior cardiac nurse at the BHF. Humans are built to stand up and this is when our hearts work more effectively, A 2010 study discovered an increase of about 125% in cardiovascular disease in the group that spent more time sitting down, as well as 46% increased risk of death from other causes. Furthermore, long sitting periods are responsible for deactivating an enzyme called lipoprotein that breakdowns fats in the blood vessels, which can lead to blockage of the blood vessel of your heart.

Loneliness and Depression

The reason why you sit all day is most likely sitting on your computer all day, which eventually becomes the single form of communication and a person’s social circle is believed to decline as feelings of depression and loneliness increase. Furthermore, being stuck at a desk also means less time outside. Lack of sunshine causes vitamin D deficiency.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

4 ways to improve your ‘Health & Wellbeing’ when working from home

1.  Treat it like a workday In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, we’ve been thrust into a state of almost complete isolation. As such, working from home is on the menu for many.

While working home, in many cases, is proven to boost productivity levels—for many, navigating an entire professional week remotely is an alien concept—something that applies to workers across industries.

Conveniences and creature comforts coupled with the fish out of water-like sensationworking from home can evoke (if you’re not used to it) and prove difficult to deal with at first. And, as such, bad habits are easily formed.

If you’re reading this and thinking “this is me”—don’t panic because were at HumbleWorks (currently remote) HQ, we’ve got your back (quite literally).

To help enhance your current professional situation while preventing long-term physical or mental damage, here are four practical ways to boost your health and wellbeing levels while working from home.

Working from home: the perils of sitting

Before we delve any deeper into our working from home wellbeing tips, it’s important to consider just how detrimental constant sitting is for your existing and long-term health.

Studies show that by limiting excessive sitting to three hours a day, you can increase your life expectancy by two whole years. That said, sitting down hunched at your desk for long periods of time is likely to shorten your life expectancy.

Recent discoveries also reveal that sitting-based sedentary lifestyles is almost as bad for you as is smoking.

The result?The possible (but very real) prospect of deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, increased risk of heart disease and certain cancers, chronically bad hips and back, and anxiety.

Based on this notion, fostering healthy habits while working from home and adjustable standing desk for set periods of time is the way forward.

Top ‘working from home’ health & wellbeing tips

Now that you understand the importance of investing in your professional health and you’re familiar with the perils of excessive sitting, it’s time to look at our working from home wellbeing tips.

1.  Treat it like a workday

This may appear obvious, but you would be amazed at just how many people overlook this simple yet vital concept: when working from home, treat it like a workday.

Waking up at inconsistent times, skipping the morning shower, or lounging around in your slacks isn’t conducive to a happy, healthy, or productive work environment.

That said, although you are at home, you should try to follow a set routine as you would on a regular workday:

Set your alarm at the same time each day.

Follow your morning ‘getting ready’ ritual.

Eat and snack at consistent times.

Take time to clear your head before you start working

Have a designated workspace that is clean, convenient, and organized.

If you do these things, you will reduce the chances of getting into poor habits or remaining inactive for long periods of time.

2. Fuel your mind & body

A healthy body is a healthy mind, and vice-versa. So, make sure that when you eat, you choose something that will fill you up while making you feel great (you should also treat yourself sometimes, too).

Certain foods will help you remain mentally focused, in turn, boosting your professional productivity rates while helping you maintain consistently high levels of health.

Here are some suggested foods to boost your health and wellbeing when working from home:

Raw nuts

Oily fish

Berries

Sweet potato

Guacamole and whole-wheat crackers

Fresh fruit

Homemade granola

Quinoa and pulses including chickpeas and lentils

Eggs

Lean chicken

These foods are packed with nutrients and are known to help increase workplace wellbeing health and generic wellness. Also, here are some simple ideas that will inspire you for healthy work from home snacking.

3. Take regular screen breaks

When you’re working from home, it’s tempting to work in big spurts of productivity then kick back for hours at a time. This level of imbalance will only serve to hinder your health and wellbeing.

By taking frequent screen breaks (five to six minutes every 45 minutes or so) and walking around, stretching, or getting some fresh air, you will benefit from increased focus and a more positive mental mindset.

Taking regular screen breaks will also save strain on your eyes while encouraging movement—which brings us onto our final point.

4. Don’t slouch, don’t sit (too much)

Revisiting the excessive sitting scenario for a moment...if you want to increase your health and wellbeing when working from home while reducing your risk of long-term health complications, standing up is key.

Here are some clear-cut benefits from standing up and adopting good posture while you work. Standing...

Helps your heart

Improves your posture

Increases your productivity

Extends your life expectancy

Strengthens your core

Makes your glutes more attractive!

By adjustable standing desk for even half of your workday in addition to eating well and fostering a solid routine, not only will you achieve great things but you will see your wellbeing levels soar.

"Take care of your mind; your body will thank you. Take care of your body; your mind will thank you."—Debbie Hampton

Right now, we’re wading through challenging times, but with the right attitude, we can all get where we need to be.

To help you increase your work from home life, here at HumbleWorks, we’ve developed a set of stunning standing desks that are portable, completely ergonomic, built to last, and made from 100% sustainable materials.

If you’re working from home right now and want to turn a new leaf, explore our two signature standing desks and take those first big steps towards a happier, healthier home-based workplace.

Oh, and if you have any questions about who we are or what we do, please get in touch—we’re here to help.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

First of all, will a standing desk improve my well-being at work?

YES, it will!

Working while standing has lots of benefits most of us aren’t even aware of.

It helps correct your posture while working by keeping your spine straight and helps strengthen your core, resulting in significantly reduced back pain.

Also, say goodbye to neck pain, with your computer screen eye level your head will be much better aligned with the rest of you!

Secondly, working standing up keeps you in an alert and awake position – which is excellent especially after lunch, you don't want to be in a sedentary position as your digestive system has to work twice as hard, which slows you down.

Lastly, standing up improves your blood circulation, oxygen levels and boosts metabolism. It will also help increase productivity since your brain will be receiving more oxygen and nutrient-rich blood flooding your thought organ with mood-boosting chemicals.

To fully enjoy the benefits of working standing up, you are advised to start by standing up an hour for every 2 hours you sit. As weeks go by you can increase the ratio throughout your day. But, please note that this doesn’t mean you have to force yourself. We all have different adaptation curves for habits and can take you longer or shorter to acquire the habit of working standing up. Take your time and enjoy aiming for a smooth, comfortable transition to a healthier working experience!

Now, which standing desk is more suitable for you?

Standing desks by category

In this post, we explain the different standing desk categories.

Three types of standing desks:

1.Mechanically Adjustable Standing Desks

You must adjust the height of the desk at the hips level and place the laptop on the platform. The main characteristic is that this type of standing desks needs to be adjusted manually every time.

The problem with this type of standing desk is that they rarely have a second shelf to place the screen or monitor forcing you to look down at the screen.

In most cases, you’ll have to acquire a laptop riser or a desktop stand to elevate the computer screen at eye level.

2. Electrically  Adjustable Standing Desk

This type of standing desks work the same way as the mechanically adjustable ones but with the added value of just pressing a button to adjust the height – even some of them have memory buttons!

The price for this category ranges from 200GBP to up to 3,000GBP. Don’t forget to get one with an extra shelf for raising the screen or computer at your eye level.

3. CONVERTER STANDING DESKS.

This category has many different models, materials and price ranges. In general, the converter standing desks will allow you to raise the computer screen to eye level and at the same time offer you a shelf or platform for your keyboard and mouse at elbow level.

This type of standing desks works as an add-on to your sitting desk. Also, they tend to be quite easy to fold down and adjust so you can alternate sitting and standing while working.

So, which standing desk to buy?

There is no right answer.

It will all depend on your needs, space and budget available. However, consider that the whole point of having a standing desk is to improve your posture; there are some categories of standing desks – mainly the mechanically and electrically adjustable ones – that even if they let you work standing up, sometimes depending on the model you choose, you’ll still have to bend down your head to look at the computer screen invalidating the whole point of acquiring a standing desk!

The only things that we suggest you MUST consider when buying a adjustable standing desk is:

Make sure that your head is NOT bending down towards the computer screen. You need to keep your head up at a 90-degree angle from the screen.

Always have the keyboard at elbow level too.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

HumbleWorks - What are the Costs of not Buying a Standing Desk

Let’s start with the overall wellbeing of employees. If their jobs involve them spending long hours sitting behind a desk, then I could begin to wreak havoc with their health if they don’t dedicate some time to exercise and maintain healthy eating habits. Wellbeing isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ along with growth strategies and hitting targets anymore. It should be fully integrated with any company’s agenda. The truth is that if you’re not looking after your employees, you can’t expect them to look after your company and your customers. Ignorance is mutual, and it is higher managements’ job to set the example. It can be seen that many companies have started seeing wellbeing programmes seriously. 2017 was a milestone year as 70% of US employers introduced them from 58% in 2015.

Physical health is the main reason why wellbeing at work matters as their 64% of adults in the UK are classified as overweight or obese. Both cases have a significant impact on absenteeism because of which many companies lose a lot of money each year. Furthermore, staying fit helps to develop a sharper memory which makes one a faster learner, as well as can result in prolonged mental stamina.

Companies which introduced wellbeing programmes strongly benefited in recruitment and retention. By offering their employees additional perks, they are standing out among the competitors when it comes to attracting top clients. It simply improves the company's reputation.

Having said that promoting physical activity among employees can drive several benefits for the business, unfortunately, we must note that exercise cannot offset the risks of sitting…  Standing up for just 10 minutes every hour, on the other hand, can.

According to a 2017 survey out of the Society for Human Resource Management, Adjustable standing desks are the fastest growing benefits trend. 13% of employers provided or subsidized them in 2013 and 44% did so in 2017.

Why are you asking? A 2014 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that standing desks reduced the sedentary time by more than three hours a week, they increased the sense of well being and gave energy, as well as decreased fatigue and appetite. Another study conducted by Texas A&M University at a call centre found that productivity increased by 46% when using portable standing desks in comparison to colleagues who didn’t. Furthermore, in both studies, employees felt less trapped by working in an office.

“Once you get used to using a standing desk, there’s just no going back- now I can stand for hours on end, and sometimes have to remind myself to give my legs a break. I feel restless and lethargic if I have to sit down all day” –       Rachel Krantz, Senior Features Editor at Bustle.

It might be difficult to answer the question of what are the costs of not buying a standing desk for your business with a specific number as it depends on the size of your company, employer’s salary, etc. However, not having at least one in your office can lead to missing all of the above benefits. Remember happy employees, happy customers, profitable business.

[humbleworksstandingdesk]

10 Ways to reduce sitting time at work - HumbleWorks

You’ve heard it before: Sitting is the new smoking.

New research finds that even if you’re active, logging eight hours a day on your rear end in front of the computer can shorten your lifespan. Fortunately, there are other ways to spend less time sitting. Try these 10 tips to cut time in your chair:

1. Use the gym at work:

If your company has one, use it, especially if the weather is bad or work in an extremely secure building that’s hard to leave. A moderate 25-minute walk on the treadmill won’t leave you sweaty enough to require a shower, but it will let you catch up on an episode of your favourite TV show while you’re at work. Even without the extra steps, that’s an incentive right there.

2. Try a standing desk, one that brings your screen to eye level:

A desk (or desk addition) that adjusts your screen and keyboard to standing height is less of an investment–and less of a strange sight–than a treadmill. Set a goal to move your chair out of the way twice a day or so, and try standing for a few minutes as you edit a document or send emails.

3. Eat outside your workplace: 

If your favourite cafe is a quarter mile away, that’s an extra half mile you’ll walk daily. But even if you’re carrying a packed lunch, find a spot and invite colleagues to join you.

4. Set an Alarm:

Much sitting is unconscious. Set an alarm to remind yourself to get up at least once an hour to grab a drink, stretch, or otherwise engage your muscles.

5. Keep topping up your water bottle:

Drinking water has many upsides, but one obvious side effect is you’ll have to hit the bathroom frequently. Try visiting one on the other side of the building or on a different floor to increase your time in motion. Bonus: Refill your water bottle from a water fountain that’s far away as well.

6. Get a step counter:

An Apple watch, Fitbit, A Nike+ FuelBand, or can encourage you to move more by showing how many steps you’ve taken (and pitting you against friends and colleagues if you like). If you see you’re far under 10,000 steps for the day, you might get up and walk the halls rather than surf the web when you need a break.

7. Try a walking meeting:

If you’ve got a one-on-one scheduled, ask that colleague to walk with you to grab a coffee, or try any walking trails or reasonable sidewalks you might have nearby. It may actually be easier to have difficult conversations this way when you’re walking side by side rather than staring at each other.

8. Try a standing meeting:

A bar-height table in the office kitchen makes a great place for an informal get-together. Not every meeting requires a conference room, and most people are okay to stand for a few minutes plus it will eliminate. 

9. Walk / Pace while on the phone:

Unless you’re taking notes while on the phone, you don’t have to sit. Walk the halls with a headset or move around your office.

10. Visit colleagues:

If you need a quick answer to a question, it’s often as easy to walk to someone’s office as it is to email or call. Face-to-face conversations lower the risk of misinterpretation, too. If you work with people in different buildings, offer to come to visit them, rather than snagging the conference room near you.