The work-from-home revolution is in motion, and we are leading it.
Do you hate having to work in an uncomfortable chair at the office? We do too—and that’s not all. Sitting is not just uncomfortable, but also very harmful as our podcast guest, Dr James Levine (MAYO Clinic), explains:
‘’…this chair-bound lifestyle is not natural. As we trace the human race back in time, all the way to our hunter-gatherer ancestors, the less central the chair becomes in the everyday life of a human. The human being was not created to sit on a chair all day long—it was created to move. So, the notion that convenience brings happiness and freedom is nothing more than a mirage. An enchanting myth. In reality, it only draws us deeper into a desert of discontentment, as our society faces more chronic back pain, obesity, depression, loneliness and anxiety than ever before.’’
How can something as simple and monotonous as sitting lead to life-threatening diseases and even premature death?
In our limited series ‘Get Up!’ podcast, Dr Levine unwraps some of the tools we can adopt to avoid excessive sitting and its detrimental effects. Focusing on the issue of obesity, he reveals the key to maintaining a healthy weight: N.E.A.T. (or Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis)— an umbrella term for general human movement.
An office-based experiment carried out by Dr Levine at the MAYO Clinic revealed that excessive sitting leads to enormous excursions in blood glucose, which has strong links to Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and cardiovascular disease.
But before you start to panic, the experiment found that movement, any movement at all, dramatically decreases our risk of developing chronic and life-threatening illnesses. So activities like walking or standing for 15 minutes after each meal is ideal.
Reduce absenteeism and increase productivity by 16% in the workplace
As well as safeguarding us from serious health risks, movement also has huge implications for our mental health. As excess sitting is strongly associated with low mood and depression, getting out of our chairs and walking will help empower and energise us, battling feelings of fatigue while serving to boost mood.
Moving and standing up optimise our performance by allowing oxygen-rich blood to flow to the areas of our brain that release endorphins as well as serotonin, and make us feel good.
We’ve seen improvements in employee wellness, increased productivity and reduced absenteeism—all with a simple switch to standing more. It’s a universal truth—when people stand, they work better.
How did we achieve this?
HumbleWorks is the new way of working and this is where we create change. We offer people the opportunity to be active throughout the day and live a healthier life without strenuous gym sessions or running 10k every day (although running and the gym are great).
We designed a range of sleek, scandi-mod standing desks and office accessories that promote health and well-being in the workplace by creating an environment where you can be more productive, efficient and comfortable—all while respecting the planet.
The products in our ‘work from home’ suite are adjustable, keeping you upright and your screen at eye level at all times. Laptops, iMacs, Dual Monitors? We have an option for everyone, in an office environment or at home.
Work anywhere, anytime.
Now you can turn your living room into a workspace that inspires, innovates, and motivates. Our products make life easier, providing sustainable solutions, so you can work from home without sacrificing your work-life balance.
So why not give a standing desk a go? Before long, you’ll begin to notice significant improvements in your body and mind. It’s time to take a stand.
