Tag Archives: sit to stand desk

4 Office Trends for 2017

Posted on by

office trends 2017

What’s Up and Coming in the world of Office Design

Well, 2016 is officially over and 2017 is already off to a great start! In order to provide our customers with the latest and greatest productivity-maximizing technology, Workspace Solutions is always at the forefront of the ever-changing world of office design. Because of that, we’ve put together a roundup of the top 4 office trends you can expect to see in 2017!

1. Technology Integrated Furniture

One of the biggest trends that we’re seeing more and more of each year is the inclusion of all varieties of technology in the workplace. As technology keeps rapidly improving and shifting, we can expect our workstations to complement and support our devices. For example, wireless cell phone chargers have been and will continue to be incredibly popular in the workplace. It’s entirely within the realm of possibilities that the near future will see a boom in charging docks integrated right into the desktop or workstation.

2. Wellness-Centered Furniture

The past few years have seen a substantial (and much needed) interest in employee well-being. As studies continue to show links between heart disease and the sedentary lifestyle common with office jobs, offices are taking an active approach to taking care of their employee’s well beings. Not only does this mean safer, more ergonomic furniture, but we can also expect to see an increase in the popularity wellness-centered office furniture, including standing-height desk adjustable-height desks.

3. Integration of Natural Elements

Along with the physical wellbeing of employees, companies are also becoming more aware of their employees mental and psychological wellbeing as well. One way companies are attempting to improve workplace morale is by integrating more natural elements in their office design. A popular trend we’ve seen in offices is bringing the outside in. This doesn’t just mean having a few more plants around, but companies are beginning to use natural themes in their design plans. This ranges from using reclaimed wood, to water features, natural lighting, and more. The utilization of natural elements can have amazing effects on your office’s morale, productivity, attitude, and overall happiness, just to name a few.

4. Open Plan Designs

Fortunately, the traditional “cubical farms” of old are on their way out the door. They’re being replaced my open-plan office designs and natural themes. Something crazy is currently happening in offices around the country – and that is the welcoming of Generation Z. 2017 and the next few years will be the first years Generation Z-er’s will be a part of the office culture, which is actually a really good thing. Generation Z has a different attitude when it comes to workplace productivity. With the imminent transition of Generation Y, we can expect to see traditional cubicles being replaced by open concept designs, which encourage collaboration, communication, and teamwork while improving office morale.

One popular trend we’re seeing is a café-style seating system where employees can open their laptops wherever they like and set up camp there for the day. Studies have actually shown substantial evidence in support of a more mobile workstation. Not to mention, the amount of work-from-home employees is on the rise, which means it won’t be long until we see a further shift away from cubicles and desks in general.

The Latest Office Furniture at Workspace Solutions

Workspace Solutions in Fort Wayne, Indiana has some of the latest and greatest office furniture options available. We have exactly what you need to bring your workspace into 2017! We also have experienced office designers on hand that can help you plan your next move or remodel! If you’re looking to improve your workplace productivity or utilize any of these new office design trends, give us a call today (260) 422-8529!

Do You Suffer From Sitting Disease

Posted on by

sitting disease and your health

Is Your Desk Job Bad For Your Health?

If you are like most Americans, you are likely suffering from a disease you maybe didn’t even know existed. What experts now call “sitting disease”. This disease afflicts many people who work in traditional work environments where many hours are spent seated at a desk or in front of a computer.

How many hours do you spend each day sitting at work? Add on the hours you spend driving, eating meals, using technology, or watching TV. The Mayo Clinic says that 50-70% of Americans spend 6 or more hours every day just sitting down!

Sitting Disease and Your Health

“ A highly sedentary lifestyle can wreak havoc on your system and has serious negative effects on our health,” states Dr. Busch of Busch Chiropractic in Fort Wayne. Sitting for extended periods puts extra stress on your spine and increases your risk for back injuries. In order to stay healthy, our joints, muscles, and other tissues need to move. Over time, reduced activity can not only limit your range of motion and cause back problems but contributes to many health issues and significantly shorten your lifespan.”

These health risks include:

  • increased risk of chronic back and neck pain
  • a proclivity for herniated discs
  • shorter life expectancy
  • increased risk for Type 2 diabetes
  • increased risk for heart disease and some cancers

Reduce the Risks of Sitting Disease

How can you ward off the dangerous risks of sitting disease? Fortunately, even a moderate increase in physical activity is proven to effectively fight these health risks.

Moving more:

  • burns more calories
  • reduces body fat
  • improves circulation
  • strengthens muscles
  • increases insulin sensitivity
  • improves mood
  • reduces load on spine

How to Increase Activity at Work

Here are some tips from Dr. Busch to use at the office (or home, as well) to keep sitting disease and its health risks at bay:

  • walk while you are talking on the phone
  • set a timer to remind yourself to get up at least once an hour
  • use a pedometer or Fitbit to track (and increase) your daily number of steps
  • take the stairs, instead of the elevator, up one floor or down two
  • every time you cross something off your to-do list, stand up for a stretching break
  • don’t sit for one-on-one meetings — have a walking meeting around the block or around the building
  • park further away from your office building, the restaurants you go to for lunch, the grocery store, etc.

Sit-to-Stand Desks:

You may also consider a standing-height desk or a “sit-to-stand” adjustable desk. Researchers say that the almost undetectable muscle movement that occurs while standing is as good as, or better, for our bodies than bouts of exercise between long periods of being sedentary. Studies show that people who stand while working move around more and get the important health benefits needed to combat sitting disease.

The positive effects of becoming more active can be profound. According to a Stanford University study, workers who used sit-to-stand desks were 78% more likely to report a pain-free day.

Visit the Workspace Solutions office furniture campus in Fort Wayne to talk to our furniture experts to learn more about healthier ways to work and avoid the dreaded sitting disease!

How to Get More Exercise at Work

Posted on by

ways to get exercise at work

How to get more exercise at work and keep your New Year’s resolution.

2015 is here, and for many of us that means a chance to start over. This time of year, New Year Resolution’s are on many people’s minds. It’s time to give up some bad habits and pick up some great new habits. For many, a popular resolution is to get rid of a few extra pounds, eat better, and do a bit more exercising.

Working in an office environment can often make it easy to pick up some bad habits when it comes to your health and fitness. Keep your New Year’s resolution with these tips on how to incorporate some healthy habits into your work day.

1. Start with your Commute

Your morning commute to work can be a great way to add some extra workout into your day. If you live close enough, ride your bike! If you take the bus, get off a few blocks earlier, and walk the rest of the way.

If you drive, parking your car on the far end of the lot can be a great way to squeeze in some extra steps throughout the day.

2. Take the Stairs

Avoid uncomfortable elevator small talk, while getting some cardio! What’s not to love? Simply switching to the stairs can be a great way to add some exercise to your day. After you’ve mastered the stairs, try taking them two at a time!

Rather than taking short coffee breaks throughout the day, take some short breaks to get in some extra exercise. Climb up and down the stairs a couple of times, just for fun.

3. Bring healthy snacks to work

One disadvantage of working in a fast-paced office environment is that sometimes you’re not left with much time for lunch. It can be tempting to go with fast food – it’s quick, it’s cheap, it’s tasty. Rather than eating a fatty, calorie loaded lunch, bring a few small healthy snacks to eat throughout the day, along with your smaller, healthy lunch.

Digesting foods more frequently will help to speed up your metabolism. Rather than simply packing your lunch in the morning, pack enough food for the entire day. Bring an apple for a mid-morning snack, and some carrots for an afternoon snack.

4. Squeeze in some workout time

During any down time you might have, use this as a chance to squeeze in some quick workouts. Waiting for the copier to print off your 50 page report? Don’t just stand around waiting for it – use this time to do some squats. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart, and slowly lower your body, bending your legs so your knees make a 90 degree angle and your thighs are parallel to the ground.

You can even squeeze in some workouts while seated in your office chair! Next time you sort through your flood of morning emails, try slowly lifting your legs to an extended position. Hold that position for a few seconds, and then slowly bring your legs back down without letting them touch the ground. Repeat. This is a great, simple ab workout that can be done sitting down at your desk, while actually working!

5. Consider a standing desk

Of all of the things you do at work, sitting is by far the unhealthiest. Research has shown that typically, no amount of working out can undo the negative effects that sitting all day has on your body. Proponents of standing desks have a saying – “Sitting is the new smoking.”

“In order to combat the negative effects of sitting in a chair all day, a popular trend in office furniture is standing desks – desks built taller to force you to lose the chair!” says Brent Stoller of Workspace Solutions Office Furniture Store in Fort Wayne, IN. “Standing at work encourages frequent muscle movement and activity.”

adjustable standing desk

adjustable standing desk by  available at Workspace Solutions in Fort Wayne, Warsaw, South Bend, and Indianapolis

If you don’t want to commit to standing eight hours per day at work, Brent Stoller suggests Quickstand by Humanscale. The Quickstand clamps right to your existing desk and is easily adjustable allowing you the option of sitting or standing while at work.

For more information on whether or not a standing desk is for you, check out Standing vs Sitting Desks.