What are the benefits of standing desks?

Unleash productivity and well-being with sit-to-stand desks

In the era of remote work and hybrid work, our homes are frequently taking the place of bustling offices, prompting a re-evaluation of our home setups. One element that’s rapidly gained popularity is the sit-stand desk - a dynamic, research-backed solution that promotes movement in your day at the touch of a button.

We’ve laid out the details on why standing desks are good for you:

Reduce sedentary behaviour for better health

As regular commutes have changed from hour-long, multi-transport journeys to 20-footstep journeys, many of us have found ourselves moving a lot less over the course of a day.

Research has shown that prolonged sitting and sedentary behaviour is a significant health risk, due to its link to cardiovascular issues and musculoskeletal problems, including neck and back pain.

Sit-stand desks offer a compelling solution that allows users to seamlessly break the cycle of prolonged inactivity.

Home office containing Aeron office chair in mineral white wit sit-stand Nevi desk with black legs and white top

Home office with Nevi sit-stand desk in white with Cosm high back in apline whote and nightfall blue

Reduce eye strain and improve posture through ergonomic solutions

Reduced sitting time alleviates eye strain as well as back and neck pain. The ability to tailor your desk height means you can position your screen at the correct eye level (which will vary according to a person’s height), preventing the infamous desk hunch.

Monitor arms and laptop stands are also great solutions to position your screen at the eye height and distance that’s right for you - and our ergonomic chairs are designed to keep you sat comfortably upright.

Boost energy and productivity

The link between movement and increased energy levels is well-established in physiological studies. Adding frequent standing breaks to your day stimulates blood flow and combats energy slumps.

Adding movement to your daily routine after eating to reduce blood sugar spikes is particularly beneficial (REF). Blood sugar spikes are associated with a whole host of health problems and can cause your energy levels to crash once you’ve passed the spike.

Moving between seated and standing positions - by elevating your workstation at intervals - will support steady energy levels. And when you feel well, you work well.

Home office setting showing Nevi sit-stand desk in a seated position with black legs and white top with Aeron office chair in graphite

Home office setting showing Nevi sit-stand desk in a standing position with black legs and white top alongside an Aeron office chair in graphite in background

Support long-term mental well-being

Reducing stress and fatigue is key to maintaining mental well-being, and sit-stand desks play a role. Aside from relieving the physical stress caused by prolonged sitting, physical activity – including standing intervals - has been shown to positively impact mood and cognitive function by promoting the release of endorphins (REF).

A dynamic workspace therefore positively influences mood and concentration, fostering a more focused and pleasant work environment.

Kitchen home office scene containing Passport sit-stand work table with oak top with a Zeph office chair in olive with nightfall blue seat pad at kitchen table

A Herman Miller Nevi Standing Desk and Passport Sit to Stand Desk

Our sit-stand solutions

At Herman Miller, all of our products are driven by our purpose - to design for the good of humankind. Our sit-stand desks are no exception to this.

We offer sit-stand desks that cater to all needs. If you’re seeking a desk with abundant space for laptops, monitors and more, the Nevi provides a spacious solution with a motorised height-adjustment button to smoothly raise or lower the desk to your preferred height. The Nevi Desk is topped with a durable worksurface and equipped with undersurface cable management to keep things tidy.

If you’re tight on space, the Passport table might be the right choice for you. It offers enough surface area for your work-from-home essentials without the need for a large, dedicated home office.

Our desk buying guide lays out all the details if you need more help choosing the right desk for you.

Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk

From € 800,00

Jarvis Hardwood Standing Desk

From € 1.415,00

Jarvis Laminate Standing Desk

From € 965,00

Made to Order

Nevi Sit Stand Desk

From € 1.362,00

Made to Order

Passport Work Table

From € 992,00

Made to Order

OE1 Rectangular Standing Desk

From € 1.513,00

Made to Order

OE1 Round Standing Desk

From € 1.513,00

Elevate your workspace, well-being and productivity

So, if you started this article wondering “Are standing desks worth it?”, the research suggests that the movement they enable has many benefits. Both your physical and mental well-being are positively impacted with the addition of a sit-stand desk in your workspace - and it's easy to start.

How to start

For effective ergonomics, set your desk at elbow height so that your forearms rest parallel to the floor.

Start by integrating 30-minute standing intervals throughout your day. You can then build up to a suggested 1 hour of standing for every 1-2 hours of sitting.

Choose to stand for tasks that work for you – whether that’s morning emails, virtual catchups, or jobs that require deep focus.

Take regular breaks to stretch and stimulate blood flow.

Graphical style image showing person using an Nevi sit-stand desk in both seated position and standing position

Aeron Office Chair

Cosm Office Chair

Embody Office Chair

Verus Office Chair

Sayl Office Chair